Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The primary output from this proposal was the 2010 Annual Conference for the American Society for Reproductive Immunology. The meeting was hosted by Penn State University on May 17-20th at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA. The specific aims of the 2010 Annual Conference that were supported by funds from this grant were to: 1.) review the last 30 years of progress and future needs in the field of reproductive immunology with specific emphasis on both human clinical and domestic animal models; 2.) to gain insights into immunological methods for contraception in humans and domestic and feral animals; 3.) to evaluate the latest concepts related to trophoblast immunology; 4.) to become aware of the newly described lactocrine hypothesis and the role of colostrum on reproductive tract development in domestic animals and; 5.) Promote greater participation of animal and veterinary scientists in the field of reproductive immunology. Achieving these aims resulted in enhanced understanding of the important role of reproductive immunology in fertility in domestic farm animals. The meeting had 150 registrants from around the world spanning basic and applied research in the field of reproductive immunology. Funds were used to support participation of the following experts in animal reproductive immunology who present papers at the meeting: -Peter Hansen (University of Florida): Thinking outside the mouse: Domestic animals as models for reproductive immunology research. -Juan Arroyo (University of Kansas Medical Center); The sheep as a model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). -Chris Davies (Utah State University); Bovine and porcine models of IUGR/preterm birth. -Gary Killian (Penn State University & National Wildlife Research Center); Long acting, single shot contraceptive vaccines for wildlife. -Satish Gupta (National Institute of Immunology, India); Prospects of contraceptive vaccines for human and Wildlife populations. -Joy Pate (Penn State University); Location, location, location: The luteal neighborhood directs T-cell functions. -Masayuki Shimada (Hiroshima University); The innate immune functions of male and female germ cells: Expression of TLR family reduces the risk of fetal infection. -Frank Bartol (Auburn University); Programming neonatal reproductive tract development: The lactocrine hypothesis. In addition, funds were used to support meeting participation for 4 trainees using large animal models in their research. PARTICIPANTS: Funds supported the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology. Participants included 150 basic and applied reproductive immunologists from across the globe; many using domestic animal models in their research. This meeting is designed to enhance training of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows by providing opportunities for them to present their research for evaluation and critique. The meeting includes a new investigator award for the top abstract present at the meeting. The meeting also provides CME credits as professional development for clinical physicians/researchers. TARGET AUDIENCES: Physicians and basic and clinical scientists working in the discipline of reproductive immunology. Abstracts of papers presented at the meeting are published as a journal supplement and made available to all members of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology and the scientific community at large. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The meeting resulted in increased awareness of the role of the immune system in regulating fertility in domestic animals among attendees, members of the society and the scientific community at large. The speakers supported by funds from this grant enhanced understanding among attendees of the role of research using domestic animal models in advancing the discipline of reproductive immunology. Finally, the meeting facilitated development of collaborative studies between scientists using domestic and non-domestic animal models that should accelerate development of new knowledge in both arenas.
Publications
- 30th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology-Meeting Abstracts. May 2010. The American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Volume 63 (Supplement 1). 57 pages.
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