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Venue | Scientific Sessions | Preliminary Scientific Program | Speakers | Featured Presentations | Official Language | Registration & Deadlines | Abstracts & Posters | Guidelines | Symposium Proceedings Volume | Accommodations | Travel and Tourism | Social Events | Vienna | Contact | Committees

 Venue

The 6th International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction will be held at the University of Veterinary Sciences in Vienna, Austria from July 9 to11, 2008. The Symposium is being hosted by the Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer and the Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of the Vienna Veterinary School.

The University of Veterinary Sciences in Vienna was established in 1765 as the oldest institution of veterinary education in the German-speaking countries, and the third-oldest veterinary school in the world. In 1996, the Veterinary School moved to a totally new campus that offers state-of-the–art lecture halls and conference facilities. Photo Galleries of UVW are available on line as follows: Veterinary Campus, Research, Teaching, Animal Hospital.

This Wednesday through Saturday Symposium is also being held as a Pre-Conference Meeting to the 16th ICAR (International Congress on Animal Reproduction) which will be held following the ISCFR symposium, in the city of Budapest, Hungary, from Sunday to Thursday, July 13-17, 2008.

 Scientific Sessions

The ISCFR Symposium /EVSSAR Congress will consist of two and a half days plenary sessions, review lectures, and oral and poster presentations on current research. Several informal gatherings to discuss research and poster presentations are scheduled. Topics include gamete biology; IVM, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture; cryopreservation of gametes and embryos; estrus induction, AI and other ART; reproductive physiology and endocrinology of ovarian cycles, pregnancy, and the male genital tract; mammary and male and female reproductive disease, and applied clinical theriogenology. Sessions will include clinical and applied research reports as well as reports on basic research.

Plenary sessions each of the three days will include invited and featured reviews and special reports on basic research and clinical applications selected from among abstracts submitted. Parallel sessions on Thursday and Friday afternoons will include selected review papers and brief communications of basic and clinical research results.

 Program of Sessions and Events

Download the preliminary program of plenary sessions, parallel sessions, and social events (click here).

 Schedule of Presentations

The symposium will consist of over 160 presentations , including 70 posters and 70 short oral reports, in addition to 20 plenary session presentations.

Session Topics
Ovarian, Oocyte and Embryo Biology, Culture and Cryopreservation
Physiology and Endocrinology of Ovarian Cycles: Basic and Applied Aspects
Reproduction of Exotic and Endangered Species
Pregnancy and Neonatal Life: Basic and Applied Aspects
Breeding Management and Clinical Procedures
Semen, Semen Cryopreservation and Andrology: Basic and Applied Aspects
Clinical and Pathological Problems in Small Animal Reproduction
Reproductive Biotechnology and Immunology

 Confirmed Presenters

A. Fontbonne (France)
B.A. Rodrigues (Brazil)
W. Farstad (Norway)
J. Thuroczy (Hungary)
K. Jewgenow (Germany)
A-R. Guenzel-Apel (Germany)
J. Verstegen (USA)
P. Concannon (USA)
G.C. Luvoni (Italy)
M. Wanke, (Argentina)
K. Onclin (USA)
C. Linde-Forsberg (Sweden)
S. Arnold (Switzerland)
G. England (UK)
T. Tsutsui (Japan)
V. Meyers-Wallen (USA)
S. Schäfer-Somi (Austria)
F. Fieni (France)
K. Reynaud (France)
S. Romagnoli (Italy)
L.C.G. Silva (Brazil)
M.I.M. Martins (Brazil)
C. Asa (USA)
F. Goeritz (Germany).

 Featured Presentations

Development of New Stem Cell-Based Technologies for Carnivore Reproduction Research.
Alex Travis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Surgical Contraception Techniques in Dogs Including Endoscopic Ovariectomy.
Gilles Dupré, Vienna
Surgical Contraception: Pros and Cons Iris.
M. Reichler, Zurich
Influence of Progesterone Withdrawal on Pregnancy Related Parameters during Post-Implantation Early Pregnancy Loss.
Anne-Rose Guenzel-Apel, Hannover, Germany
Novel Contraceptive Approaches in Queens.
Marc-Antoine Driancourt, Beaucouzé, France
Advances in Reproductive Science for Wild Carnivore Conservation.
Pierre Comizzoli, Washington, DC
Neonatology in Pet Animals.
Magi Casal, Philadelphia
Establishment of Canine Pregnancy New Insights.
S. Schäfer-Somi, Vienna.

 Preliminary Schedule of Presentations and Posters

A preliminary version of the Full Schedule of Titles, Speakers and Poster Presentations of all currently scheduled oral and poster presentations is available to download as a PDF file (click here) . The program is preliminary and specific times, sequences and speakers may change.

 Registration & Reduced-Fee Early Registration

Registration Form. Attendance is by pre-registration and payment of the registration fee. On-site registration will be available at an additional cost. Details on registration fees and housing alternatives are available now. Click here, to download the PDF version of the Registration Form for printing. The period for Reduced-Fee Early-Registration has been extended to May 30.

On-site Registration. Registration will be available at the meeting at an additional cost. Registration (booking office) will be at the central (silver) building, close to the main CAMPUS entrance. At the main entrance, turn left and follow the signs.

The Registration Form with details on registration fees should be used for submitting your pre-registration information by Fax or by e-mail and for making appropriate payment via credit card or for documenting payments made by bank transfer.

 Language

The congress will be held in English language. Simultaneous translations into other languages will not be provided.

 Guidelines for Poster Preparation

The size of poster stands is 125 cm wide x 150 cm high. Items are to be placed on-end and by pin, the latter will be provided.

Posters should be prepared so that it is possible to read them within a 1 m distance. Use a clear layout and avoid too much text. Excessive colouring should also be avoided.

Poster stands will be marked with the individual poster numbers. Numbers will be send to the presenters via e-mail.

 Symposium Proceedings Volume - Update

The full set of Abstracts of all reviews, reports and posters will be printed as a book available free to all delegates at the meeting. The best 100 Abstracts and Invited Papers have been requested to submit full manuscripts of their presentations for a Symposium Proceedings Volume that is to be published as a supplement to the journal Reproduction in Domestic Animals following the meeting. After peer review by the Scientific Committee and acceptance by the Editorial Committee the best papers will be included in the Proceedings Volume along with a list recognizing all presentations made at the meeting. The Symposium Proceedings volume will be printed in a limited edition related to the number of delegates and prepaid orders. The expense of the volume to delegates, depending on final sponsorship support, may involve a nominal fee to cover some of the printing costs. If you have colleagues who may be interested in obtaining the Proceedings please make them aware that they must order before September 15, and before the Proceedings are printed. Order forms will be made available at the meeting in Vienna, and later on the IVIS website.

 Accommodations

There are many hotels between the Veterinary School and the City Center. Those hotels allow for easy visiting of the city center and easy transportation to the Veterinary School. Delegates are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. Delegates will find that small blocks of rooms have been reserved for ISCFR attendees at a limited number of hotels located throughout the city. For these, hotel reservations should be made through NetHotels at http://www.nethotels.com/forward.asp?IDLink=51 to get the ISCFR negotiated room rate. The number of rooms available at the group rate in each hotel is limited. Therefore, please make your reservations as early as possible to increase the likelihood of obtaining the accommodations of your choice.
July in Vienna is at the height of the tourist season. Please! Book your hotel accommodations 4 to 6 months before the meeting, if possible. The following links to Google Maps may be helpful:

- Map of Veterinary University location North of City Center. Click on Satellite View and magnify (double click on University) to see all the University buildings!
- Google map of HOTELS near the University. University is at site marked “A”.
- Map of Innstrasse area between University and City Center.
- Google map of HOTELS around the Innstrasse area between University and City Center.
- Google map of HOTELS around the Leopoldstadt area, also between the University and City Center.
- Map of Vienna City Center, Double-clinck on ‘WIEN” to read street names.
- Google map of HOTELS in and near the City Center.

 Travel and Tourist Information

There is a significant opportunity to combine attendance at both the ISCFR and the ICAR meetings. Vienna is connected by direct non-stop flights to all major European cities and some major cities in other continents. Traveling from Vienna to Budapest (ICAR) by direct train (takes approx. 3 hours, by boat, 3-4 hours, by car, 3 hours or by air. Vienna airport is located 20 km (12 miles) southeast of the city. The fastest way from the Airport to the city is the City Airport Train (CAT). There are also frequent train and bus connections from the airport to the city center and to the 21st district close to the Veterinary School (City Airport Train to Floridsdorf station 30 min and a further 10 min by tramway to the vet campus).

Vienna can easily be reached by train and car from all neighbouring countries. Trains from Germany, Switzerland, and western Austria arrive at the Westbahnhof (West Station). If you are coming from Italy or Hungary, you will arrive at the Südbahnhof (South Station). For details on trains see http://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/dn.

Metro/Tram: From the city center, campus can be reached by the viennese metro (U1 stopps at Kagraner Platz) and the tram No. 26 or 27A (goes directly to the University of Veterinary Science, it also stopps at Kagraner Platz).
Train: If you arrive by train at Wien West, take metro No. U6 until Floridsdorf, than tram No. 26, it stopps in front of the University of Veterinary Science. From Wien Südbahnhof, take metro No. U1 until Kagraner Platz, than tram No. 26 or 27A until the University).
Car: If you approach by car from route E59, follow route A23 (Tangente) and than the signs Kagraner Platz, cross Kagraner Platz and enter Donaufelder Strasse until you reach a big crossing. You will see a sign "Veterinärmedizinische Universität" there. Turn to the right (Josef-Baumanngasse) and follow the street until you see the main entrance (protier). You can park at the campus.
Taxi: If you choose a taxi, the campus address is University of Veterinary Science, Veterinärplatz 1 (Josef-Baumanngasse), A-1210 Vienna.

 Social Events

The social program for the meeting includes a Beer and Wine Poster Party and Reception on Wednesday evening. On Thursday evening, attendees are welcome to participate in a Viennese dinner which will take place in the celebrity hall of our university, situated at the university campus. Dinner includes live music, a surprise show and typical Viennese food. A Closing Banquet on Friday Evening will include a visit of the Klosterneuburg Monastery and a Gala Dinner in the marvellous Binder Stadl.
Tours of the City Zoo and the Veterinary School will be available to participants before and after the meeting, i.e., Wednesday morning and Saturday morning. In addition, city tours and zoo visits for accompanying persons can be arranged at the registration desk throughout the meeting.

 Vienna

Vienna, Austria's capital and largest city, is the country's cultural, economic, civic and educational center. The city center offers many museums and tourist attractions. The University of Veterinary Sciences is located just north of the river Danube and is accessible by excellent public transportation.

 Contact Information

Dr. Sabine S Schäfer-Somi
Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer,
University of Veterinary Sciences
Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria
Ph: +43 (0)1-25077-5401
Fax: +43 (0)1-25077-5490
E-mail: Sabine.Schaefer@vu-wien.ac.at

Abstract Review Committee

S. Arnold
C. Aurich
J. Aurich
P. Bergholt
P. Concannon
G. England
A. Fontbonne
C. Linde-Forsberg
C. Luvoni
S. Schafer-Somi
J. Thuroczy
J. Verstegen

 Organizing Committees

Local Organizing Committee, University of Veterinary Sciences in Vienna
Jörg Aurich, LOC Chairman
Sabine Schäfer-Somi, LOC Secretary
Christine Aurich
Petra Bergholt

EVSSAR Representatives to ISCFR-EVSSAR Joint Meeting
Gaia Cecilia Luvoni (ITA)
Susi Arnold (SUI)
Julianna Thuroczy (HUN)

EVSSAR Executive Board 2006-2007
Alain Fontbonne (FRA), President
Josep Arus (ESP), Vice-President
Gaia Cecilia Luvoni (ITA), Editor
Julianna Thuroczy (HUN), Treasurer
Philippe Bogaerts (BEL), Secretary
Konrad Blendinger (GER)
Angelika Von Heimendahl (UK)
Susi Arnold (SUI)

EVSSAR Executive Board 2007-2008
Gaia Cecilia Luvoni (ITA), President and Editor
Susi Arnold (SUI), Vice-President
Julianna Thuroczy (HUN), Treasurer
Philippe Bogaerts, (BEL), Secretary
Konrad Blendinger, (GER)
Angelika Von Heimendahl, (UK)
Tom Rijsselaere, (BEL)
Wojtech Nizanski, (POL)

Proceedings Editorial Committee, ISCFR
Gary C. W. England (UK), Chair

International Organizing Committee, ISCFR
Patrick W. Concannon (USA)
Gary C. W. England (UK)
Sabine Schäfer-Somi (AUT)
John Verstegen (USA)

Feel free to forward and distribute this announcement to fellow researchers, veterinarians and trainees.