NAWA ScienceNet Sessions during XVI Congress "Problems in the reproduction of small animals"

On September 24-25, 2022, the XVI Congress "Problems in the reproduction of small animals" was held in Wrocław. On the first day, there were two sessions organized within the NAWA ScienceNet project (no. PPI / APM / 2019/1/00044 / U / 00001) entitled: "Perspectives and challenges in small animal reproduction" and "Assisted reproduction". Prof. Wojciech Niżański presented the assumptions and effects of this three-year grant, including the achievement of the overarching goal - networking of European centers devoted to biotechnology of animal reproduction. The lecturers during these sessions were project partners: Alain Fontbonne (Alfort, France), Sabine Schäfer-Somi (Vienna, Austria), Ann van Soom (Ghent, Belgium) and Gaia Cecilia Luvoni (Milan, Italy).


The topics of the lectures took into account the most current areas of interest of veterinary practitioners and scientists dealing with the reproduction of companion animals. These were, among others, ethics in reproduction, reproductive problems of brachycephalic breeds, "truths and myths" in the reproduction of small animals, banking and transport of semen, and dilemmas related to the use of antibiotics in the reproduction of small animals.


The Congress had a truly international character, not only thanks to lecturers from many countries around the world, but also thanks to participants from abroad, including from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Romania, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, Great Britain and Italy. In total, over 350 people took part in this event, including 30 participants from Western Europe and 30 people from Ukraine. During the Congress, there was an active stand of friends from Ukraine who conducted a fundraising for humanitarian aid for war victims. Blue and yellow hearts and beautiful handicrafts made by students of the Primary School in Zhovkva, Ukraine, were waiting for the donors.


In addition to the NAWA session, the Congress hosted a poster session, a platform for the exchange of thoughts and a forum for discussion between practitioners and scientists, as well as the "Breeder's Day" seminar, during which veterinarians shared their knowledge with dog and cat breeders. The lectures, as well as the entire organization of the Congress, met with very positive opinions of participants.