Part II - CryoStore Training School
Training school for PhD students on conservation biology, wildlife management and genetic resource banking
Day 5
The fifth day of the CryoStore Training School was a full day at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. During this well-organized day, the participants had demonstrations of semen collection in dog and stallion. Afterwards, there was hands-on training in evaluation of the collected sperm.
Look at the beautiful pictures of semen from different species and with different morphologies!
After lunch, Marta de Ruijter-Villani had organized six different presentations by some really great speakers. The presentations were:
Sperm capacitation in stallions: challenges and future prospective - Presentation by Bart Leemans & Artur Matin
CryoEM (cryo electron microscopy) in sperm and eggs - Presentation by Miguel Leung
Fatty acids suplementation and bovine embryo freezing - Presentation by Hilde Aardema
Challenges in horse oocyte freezing - Presentation by Marta de Ruijter-Villani
Markers for successful pregnancy in cows - Presentation by Belen Rabaglino
Clinical program on ovarian tissue cryopreservation - Presentation by Brigitte Arends
We would like to send a warm thank you to Marta de Ruijter-Villani for organizing such an educational and inspiring day!
All participants outside the animal clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University.
Day 6
The sixth day of the Training School began with an inspiring workshop on career perspectives after the PhD.
In the afternoon, participants gained hands-on experience in the gene bank of the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN), where they learned how to harvest viable gametes (sperm and oocytes) from fresh epididymides and female reproductive tissues for conservation and research purposes. The practical training provided valuable skills and first-hand experience with techniques used in genetic resource conservation.
Day 7
The last day of the Training School was spent at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen very close to Wageningen. The start of the day included a presentation by two of the external participants, Rebecca Herbitch and Stefanie Altgilbers, who talked about their research projects, their work and how to obtain a permanent position in academia after the PhD. Afterwards, there was a lecture on conservation genomics in elephants by Jeroen Kappelhof.
After lunch and some free time to explore the Zoo, Pierre Comizzoli from the Smithsonian Institution (SCBI) gave three lectures, two on wildlife conservation: understanding and assisting reproduction in rare and endangered animal species, and one lecture on outreach activities in conservation biology and the importance of public involvement. The day ended with a dinner for all participants, organizers and Pierre at the Onder de Linden Restaurant. A very nice ending to a wonderful event.
A big thank you to the organisers Annemieke Rattink, Penelope Banchi and Nicole Coenen at the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN), Wageningen University & Research. A big thank you also to Marta de Ruijter-Villani at Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and everyone involved in the demonstrations, practicals and laboratory sessions for making this such a wonderful, interesting and educating event!
