Ruminant reproduction: recent findings and future challenges, a summary.

Abstract

This conference has provided a valuable update on knowledge of reproductive physiology, and its genetic and environmental regulation, in a variety of domesticated and wild ruminants. Researchers have begun to examine genetic factors in model systems such as maturation and capacitation of sperm, follicular selection, maturation and ovulation, and luteal function in pregnant and non-pregnant females, as well as placental development and function. New knowledge of details of these processes reinforces basic concepts of the importance of neuroendocrine regulation of testicular and ovarian function, particularly in regard to roles of steroid hormones in determining fertility. One is struck by the multiplicity of effects of key hormones and the precision of timing of their secretion required for maximum reproductive performance, especially in the lactating female. Greater understanding of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic factors is being obtained and interpretations of "omics" data are improving. A greater number of papers included data from use of new genetic and associated "omics" technologies than ever before. The elucidation of roles of non-coding RNAs, especially micro-RNAs, is revealing detailed knowledge of regulatory steps in oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis. Despite numerous steps forward, many mysteries of mechanisms of action in both the male and the female are yet to be solved. We've seen and heard reviews of a series of careful step-by-step analyses of significant questions in reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Sometimes the work has been done by the reviewers and their colleagues. In other cases, more extensive networks of researchers were involved, either as collaborators, building on others' work, or working independently.