The 2019 Annual AETA CETA Convention is now weeks away and we are extremely excited about its venue, atmosphere, program, entertainment, and much more we have planned for you and your colleagues. The convention committee, lead by Matt Dorshorst, DVM, has done an outstanding job.
We thank all of the many volunteers that contribute to the success of AETA. For example, Pat Comyn, DVM, and his education committee, continue to provide this quarterly newsletter to keep members abreast on current news and educational materials that enhance our embryo transfer services.
AETA, along with AABP and AASRP, provided two amazing seminars this summer for its members on bovine and small ruminant embryo transfer, which continues to be in high demand for its top quality educational opportunity it provides.
Social media and the internet continue to be key areas to communicate and we invite you to like AETA on Facebook to follow news and posts from our industry. As you are well aware, the internet also provides occasional challenges from outside hackers that promote “phishing” schemes to try to solicit funds from individuals and businesses. As always, use good common sense with emails that look suspicious.
AETA is extremely proud of our student scholarship program and we plan to award several deserving students again this year. We also had a terrific response to the first annual poster contest and we encourage you to interact with the authors who attend the convention.
From great organizations in industry stem inspiring people and leaders, and AETA is no exception, so look forward to some exciting presentations this fall, including the Edwin Robertson Lifetime Achievement Award.
The last week of October is gearing up to be a fun and exciting time with friends and colleagues! We hope your travel plans are complete. We look forward to seeing everyone in beautiful Colorado Springs!
Save the date for the 2019 AETA-CETA/ACTE Annual Meeting!
The 2019 AETA-CETA/ACTE will be held from October 24–26, 2019, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The conference will be held at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.
All of the AETA scientific, social, and exhibitor information can be found on the AETA Annual Convention. The final program has been added!
Colorado Springs is a wonderful city to hold this convention. Below you will find some links to help you plan your stay.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Larry Lanzon graduated from Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. He has spent 39 years in private practice, the last 3 years with Embryo Inc. Lanzon joined the AETA in 1982 and was privileged to have Edwin Robertson, Bob Rowe, Reuben Mapletoft, and Joe Wright as his mentors when getting started in assisted reproductive technology. Lanzon earned a masters of preventative veterinary medicine in epidemiology in 2013 from UC Davis.
Lanzon and his wife Cathy raised three children—Jesse, Casey, and Caitlin—together in Turlock, which is absolutely his proudest accomplishment. Presently, there are three grandsons—Casey, Cody, and Charlie—in the Lanzon clan.
Through the years, Lanzon spent his time with the Boy Scouts of America; attending swim meets, water polo games, and gymnastic meets; raising Red Angus cattle; and fly-fishing with his children.
In practice, Lanzon enjoyed the diversity of dairy practice, working with and teaching students from all over the world. However, he quickly developed an interest in assisted reproductive technology and has continued to learn, teach, and enjoy embryo transfer and IVF. He respectfully thanks all those who helped him along the way.
Brad Lindsey, PhD
In 1984, Brad Lindsey helped start and manage the former Granada Corporation’s equine services division. In 1988, he transferred to their bovine embryo transfer division and managed their main production lab and was involved in commercializing IVF services. In 1992, he was hired by Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center, Iowa, to start their IVF service division. In 1994, Lindsey began his PhD with Jim Kinder at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His research focus was endocrine regulation of reproductive hormones in beef cattle. In 1997, he went to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, to pursue postdoctoral research at the former Tropical Beef Centre with Michael D’Occhio.
In 1998, he was hired as general manager of Stroud Veterinary Embryo Services in Weatherford, Texas, under the direction of Brad Stroud. Between 2000 and 2005, Lindsey worked for AB Technology (now ABT360), Minitube of America, and Genetic Resources Int’l (now Sexing Technologies) in various technical roles, directing research and product development and developing an IVF lab service platform. In 2005, he started Rex Consulting, providing ET services and technical support to cattle producers, biotech companies, and other ET firms, and in 2008 incorporated as Ovitra Biotechnology Inc. Ovitra continues to provides commercial and contract ET services, technical support, consulting, and training to beef and dairy producers, research universities, and other ET firms.
Dr. Lindsey is currently an active member, serving on several committees within AETA (Certification and Research), IETS (HASAC, Manuals and Forms), and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association (Research and Education). He and his wife, Mary, live in Midway, Texas, and are active in their church and community. They have two grown children, Grace Richardson and Payton Lindsey.
Greg Schueller, DVM
Greg Schueller grew up on a dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin, where he developed his interest in and passion for dairy cattle and veterinary medicine. He received his DVM from the University of Wisconsin in 1991.
Upon graduation, he joined a mixed-animal practice in southwest Wisconsin, where he focused on dairy reproduction and herd health from 1991 to 2009. He added embryo transfer services to the practice in 1998 and joined the AETA at that time. In 2006, he became AETA certified and continued to grow the ET side of the practice until he joined Sunshine Genetics, an embryo transfer exclusive practice, in 2009. Currently, he is an owner of Sunshine Genetics with his business partner Aaron Prososki.
His wife Marcia is a speech therapist in the Fort Atkinson school district. They have three wonderful daughters, Brianna (20), Kailyn (18), and Melia (15). In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife and family and is beginning to look forward to the next phase of life as his children are reaching adulthood and gaining independence.
Cary Schroeder, DVM
Cary Schroeder is co-owner of Lena Veterinary Clinic, an L0 doctor mixed-animal practice in Lena, lllinois. Schroeder received his BS in animal science in 1980 and DVM degree in 1984 from lowa State University. He has been a member of AETA since 2000 and certified in embryo transfer since 2003. He is currently serving on the AETA audit committee.
He and his wife Sarah, their children John (Abby), Christin (Dana Keefer), and Casey (Brianna), and their six grandchildren all live in or near Lena, lllinois. They enjoy spending time with their family, boating, traveling, hunting, and golfing.
The purpose of AETA is to unite those organizations and individuals in the United States engaged in the embryo transfer industry into an affiliated federation operating under self- imposed standards of performance and conduct. As AETA delivers on education and standards of quality through its certification program, we become the “voice” for our diverse membership.
Based on recommendations from the membership, the board has proposed the following modifications to the By-Laws relating to membership categories. The reasons for the changes are several. These changes will make official some membership categories that have been previously offered but not officially recognized in the By-Laws, such as Life Membership. It will also make official reduced membership fees to former student members for one year following graduation. The proposed changes will also move the Association in the direction of a professional association and away from a trade association. We feel this is important to continue to foster relationships with other professional veterinary and animal science organizations such as AABP, AASRP, and IETS. This transition will allow the Association to continue to fulfill its primary purpose of education and promoting a high standard of quality through certification. Finally, it will reduce some redundancy in the membership categories by combining Regular and Associate Membership into only Associate Membership.
• Professional: An individual who is actively engaged in the embryo transfer industry who is a licensed veterinarian in the US or holds a PhD in reproductive physiology from a US institution. Other equivalent degrees as approved by the Board of Directors. Professional Members are eligible to vote, serve on committees, and hold an office in the Association.
• Associate: Organizations or individuals engaged in a business or occupation related to the embryo transfer industry that do not meet the requirements for Professional, Emeritus, Life, or Student Memberships. These Associate Members may not vote but will otherwise be entitled to full privileges of membership and can attend meetings, serve on committees, and receive newsletters.
• Life: Board of Directors can confer, at its discretion, honorary Life Membership to a practitioner for exemplary service. Life Members may enjoy the rights of their previous Professional Membership status.
• Emeritus: Individuals who have been Professional Members of the Association for a period of at least 10 years and who deem themselves as retired from activities associated with Professional Membership. Emeritus Members may enjoy the rights of their previous Professional Membership status. Emeritus Membership is granted by an application, in writing, to the Board of Directors, who have the sole right to invoke or revoke the Emeritus status to a Professional Member.
• Student: Individuals enrolled in an academic program at the graduate level and pursuing either a veterinary degree or PhD in reproductive physiology. Academic status must be verified annually by an academic advisor or a Professional Member. Student Members are not eligible to vote or hold office in the Association. Following graduation, former Student Members are eligible to become Professional Members at half of the cost of the Professional Membership for one year only.
This change in membership classification simplifies our current method and makes it easily distinguishable with less redundancy.
This is to inform you of a By-Laws change that will be proposed at the 2019 annual convention in Colorado Springs, Colorado, October 24-26, 2019. We hope you understand and can identify with this proposal. Please reach out to board members with questions you may have.
At the organizational meeting of the AETA, 29 August, 1981, in Denver :
First order of business was an agreement to thoroughly study the problem of existing ET patents and pending litigation against ET practitioners
1981 AETA Annual Dues = $1.00 per embryo handled ($250 minimum and $5,000 maximum)
The first Board met the first time for one day in Sept. 1982 at the O’Hare Hilton
In addition, the AETA asked for and received donations for a legal fund
1983 – First Convention
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Hotel cost was $33/night
Dates: January 18-19, 1983 – following the IETS conference
There were 51 attendees
The program included:
Established 4 standing committees
Panel presentation on problems with export of embryos
Augspurger patent lawsuit review
Did you know? Bob Garey, Executive Vice President of the AETA was hit over the head in his motel room by an intruder who entered at night through a sliding door
Sydney, Australia, October 3, 2019: The International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR) announces that Dr. Gabriel Bó of the Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba (IRAC) in Córdoba, Argentina is the recipient of the 2020 Simmet Prize for Assisted Reproduction. The prize, which is the most prestigious award in animal reproduction and one of the largest of its kind, was given for the pioneering efforts of Dr. Bó to develop practical protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination, superovulation and embryo transfer in cattle.
Dr. Bó is currently President and Director of Research and Post-graduate training at IRAC and Professor of Obstetrics and Biotechnology of Reproduction at the Veterinary School of the Instituto de Ciencias Basicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria in Cordoba, Argentina. IRAC is one of the few organizations of its kind with missions in research, teaching, and clinical service including embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and gamete and embryo cryopreservation. Over 1300 veterinarians in South and Central America have received education on animal reproduction since IRAC opened in 1995.
Bó and his colleagues have developed what are now the de facto standard protocols for superovulation in cattle. Research conducted by him and his collaborators on estrus synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination has been one of the key drivers for implementation of these technologies by producers throughout South America and globally. Together, these practices are revolutionizing genetic selection and reproductive management of cattle.
The Simmet Prize is sponsored by Minitube International and administered by ICAR. The prize, established as a memorial to the accomplishments of Dr. Ludwig Simmet, a pioneer in development of artificial insemination in farm animals and founder of Minitube, recognizes an active research scientist for basic and applied research published during the previous six years in the area of assisted reproduction of animals. The prize is presented each 4 years and includes an award of 50,000 euros.
I have recently had a client ask me what his options were with a holstein bull calf of very high genetic value (genomic prediction) that happened to be a unilateral cryptorchid. Aside from a grunt, I didn’t know how to answer, so I thought I should educate myself. As it turns out, the causes of crytorchidism in cattle aren’t very well understood. A some observations from some reading.
The left testicle is most commonly affected.
Male repro tract development occurs from a different tissue (wolffian duct which is part of the mesonephros developing into the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, and ejaculatory duct) than the female tract (Müllerian duct which differentiates into vagina, cervix, uterus etc).
While many argue that chryptorchidism is “heritable”, the heritability of this trait is not well characterized meaning that we don’t know what percent of the development of cryptorchid syndrome is truly genetic and what percent is environmental (meaning uterine / maternal hormonal influence).
This is an excerpt from Cryptorchidism and associated problems in animals1 R. P. Amann2 and D. N. R. Veeramachanen: Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1683 USA.
“Early reports on cryptorchidism (e.g., de Graaf, 1668) provided evidence of two or more diseases, because undescended testes are not located at a common non-scrotal site. Nevertheless, the general perception had been that cryptorchidism is a single disease with moderate heritability, incomplete penetrance, expressed only in males (sex specific expression), and concentrated by inbreeding or minimized by culling affected males and all siblings. However, the notion of a single-locus gene problem gave way to acceptance of a polygenic recessive model, based on relatively small studies with pigs (Sittmann and Woodhouse, 1977; Rothschild et al, 1988) and dogs (Cox et al, 1978; Nielen et al., 2001); also data for men (Czeizel et al., 1981). It is evident that abnormalities in >20 genes are associated with human cryptorchidism (Klonisch et al., 2004) and, currently it is accepted that cryptorchidism has many causes including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental components.”
A search on line showed no studies where back breeding of cryptorchids to dam or siblings had been done to characterize heritability coefficient.
A unilateral cryptorchid will on average produce 60 – 80% the spermatozoa of a normal bull.
The affected testicle should be removed so not to place abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Too, removal will enhance hypertrophy of the normal testicle.
So here we are. A unilateral cryptorchid dairy bull calf. The owner vents his / her frustration and also inquires as to your thoughts on how to proceed. Here are my thoughts…
If a dairy bull and high enough genomics, offer him out. There are dairy bulls in collection now that are unilateral cryptorchids.
Consider private CSS EU qualified collection then see if the semen can be purchased by a bull stud and sold.
Like point B except the producer sells the semen.
The money might not be as good as a normal bull purchase but one can make lemonade from lemons.
It has been a privilege to be a part of the AETA Board of Directors (BOD) over the last three years and an honor to serve as this year’s president. I have been blessed to be a part of this industry for 20 years. As Paul Harvey said, “The years don’t always add wisdom, but[…]
The 2022 AETA-CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Meeting will be held in Louisville, KY from October 27-29. The conference will be held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Book your hotel reservation now! All of the scientific, social, sponsor/exhibitor, student scholarship, and continuing education (CE) information can be found on the AETA Annual Convention page as it becomes[…]
The American Embryo Transfer Association is offering up to 10 Student Scholarship Awards to help cover expenses at the 2022 AETA and CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, from October 27 to 29, 2022. The scholarship covers student registration, one preconference seminar, Friday and Saturday scientific sessions, the banquet, breakfasts, lunches, breaks, maximum hotel[…]
Request for Proposals 2022 The Board of Directors of the American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) is pleased to provide an opportunity for funding to support practitioner-initiated research projects that focus on advancing the knowledge and efficiency of applied assisted reproductive technologies in livestock species. The goal of the association is to provide some financial support[…]
Joao HM Viana1, Daniela Demetrio2 1 Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, 70770-901 Brazil 2 RuAnn Genetics, Riverdale, CA, United States Introduction The numbers presented this year in the Report of the Data Retrieval Committee (DRC) of the International Embryo Technology Society showed that, despite the Pandemic, 2020 was a good year for the embryo[…]
C. Wells1, R. Killingsworth1,2 1EmGenisys, Houston TX 77002 2Shamrock Veterinary Hospital, Shamrock TX 79079 Introduction Embryo transfer (ET), including in vivo derived (IVD) and in vitro produced (IVP), is a routine breeding strategy in cattle operations as it enables the perpetuation of individuals with high genetic merit, improves herd performance, decreases calving interval, and increases[…]
Austin Byrd and John Gibbons Texas Tech University, School of Veterinary Medicine Amarillo, TX 79106 Introduction: Producing viable embryos and reducing the time between generations is an important, valuable, fast-moving, and trending topic amongst many progressive cattle producers and relies heavily upon effective Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART’s). In vitro fertilization (IVF) is becoming one of[…]
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