28th European embryo transfer association (AETE) Conference was held on 6-9 September 2012 in Saint Malo, France. Pre-conference event was a visit to the modern semen production center in Saint Aubin de Cormier. The all steps of the semen collection and storage as well as the new lab for sperm sexing were shown to visitors.

The conference brought together more than 180 researchers, students and professionals from 24 countries, working in the field of embryo transfer in animals. Report on the work of the Association was given by its president Claire Ponsart, France. Statistics for embryo transfers made in Europe in 2011 was presented by Hiemke Knijn, Netherlands. He noted that 121,490 (48555 fresh and 60859 frozen) embryos were produced and transferred in vivo. Generally, the rate of in vitro derived and trasferred embryos was much lower again - 8,034 embryos. The results for the transfer of frozen embryos that were more than 50 percent of the total number are encouraging.

The conference included four thematic scientific sessions with 5 invited lectures of leading experts: a) Effect of metabolism on embryo development; b) Embryo-maternal communication; c) Superovulation programme in cattle, d) Ovarian response following superovulation and embryo research; e) Genotyping of embryos. Eleven short scientific reports in relevant fields were delivered, among them 4 students reports. Interesting discussion provoked the lecture of Dr. D.Monniaux , France, dedicated to elucidate the predicative and reliable markers for selection of the best embryo donors.

For the needs of embryo transfer practicing professionals, two thematic workshops were organized:
- Workshop I – Oocytes collection by ovum pick up method
- Workshop II – Reproductive biotechnology in horses
- The three poster sessions comprised more than 100 posters and reflected all aspects of biotechnology embryo transfer in different species. The Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad K. Bratanov" - BAS was presented to the annual meeting of the Association and the AETE scientific community by posters of the members of AETE - Professor E. Kacheva ""Influence of enrofloxacin and gentamicin over some parameters of boar sperm " and Assoc. Professor E. Kistanova " Еffect of Spirulina platensis on the reproduction performances in gilts ".

The materials are published in the conference proceedings, which can be downloaded here (http://www.aete.eu/pdf_publication/31.pdf , pp.164, 174).

The participation in this forum was helpful for strengthening professional contacts and discussions for future co-operations. The possibility of joint participation in a research project under FSN Bulgaria was discussed with colleagues from the Institute of Livestock Dummerstrof, Germany as well as the ability for the actualization and new submission of the FP7 project "REPROPIG".

The member of the COST Action FA1201 (Periconception environment as an epigenomic lever for optimising food production and health in livestock) A.V.Soon invited IBIR to enjoy this Action.