In July 2023, equine reproductive researchers from around the world came together for the 13th International Symposium of Equine Reproduction in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. Congratulations must be given to the local organising committee in Brazil, who not only organised a successful symposium but who memorably welcomed everyone with their unique hospitality and enthusiasm. There were 244 presentations and posters, with material on stallions, assisted reproductive technologies, the non-pregnant mare, the pregnant mare and parturition and perinatology. There was an enormous amount of new and cuttingedge material presented and I am still trying to process a proportion of this weeks later. Donkey reproduction was well represented with research on donkey semen, haemorrhagic anovulatory follicles, ovulation induction, use of cloprostenol and the use of power-Doppler ultrasonography in jennies. There was material presented on non-antibiotic ‘alternative’ therapies for endometritis, from bacteriophages to ozonated sunflower oil and a number of papers on potential therapies for modulating the inflammatory cascade in response to breeding.
I would also like to highlight two UK researchers – Dr's Rebecca Mouncey and Jess Lawson of the Royal Veterinary College, London who were the deserving recipients of young researcher awards. Rebecca's oral presentation entitled ‘Early-life limb deformities in Thoroughbred foals and investigation of their associations with mare- and pregnancy-related factors’ was the recipient of the Michelle Le Blanc Young Presenter Award. Oral presentations were judged during the symposium by a subcommittee including representatives of the International and Local Organising Committees and this recognition is awarded to an individual who is early in their career and who gives the best oral presentation at the symposium. Jess' poster presentation entitled ‘Gross and histological features associated with umbilical cord torsion in equine abortions’ was the recipient of the Dave Hanlon Early Career Researcher Poster Award. This award is given to the individual who is early in their career and presents the best poster. Congratulations to you both, these awards are very well deserved!
It was a great pleasure for me to host an evening workshop on parturition and obstetrics, with discussions on various topics around medication, training of obstetrical skills and good decision making. The discussions were informative and rewarding, with participants committed to the search for, and application of, evidence-based medicine and a passion for sharing their knowledge and educating the next generation of equine practitioners. On the subject of teaching obstetrical skills, it was agreed that experiencing what is normal is essential and even with developing digital aids one cannot replace experiencing lots of foal deliveries, re-emphasising the benefits of seeing practice and experience gained working on studs.
The committee have also embarked on a bold online global education initiative with a large online library of voluntary, independent “How to…” webinars. Presenters are experts in their respective fields of equine reproduction, encompassing the Mare, Stallion, Foal and Assisted Reproductive Techniques. All webinars have been rigorously reviewed by world renowned Professors Angus McKinnon, Rana Bozorgmanesh, Pat McCue, Edward Squires and Tom Stout. There are currently 188 lectures online with more planned, and there is a wide range of material to suit both students and experienced practitioners alike. This has been made possible through generous sponsorship from industry, veterinary partners and charities in the wider equine industry. I am pleased to say that the British Equine Veterinary Association is supporting this initiative, and this education library will be a valuable resource helping to inform and educate the international veterinary community. The resource can be accessed at https://iser.vetpd.com/