This award will support a joint U.S.-Australia workshop "The Nature of Embryonic Signals Which Influence the Maternal Endocrine System; 1-3 July 1991 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The U.S. and Australian organizers of the workshop are Dr. Fuller Bazer of the University of Florida and Dr. Robert J. Fairclough, Animal Research Institute, Werribee, Victoria, Australia. The principal objective of the workshop is to review published and unpublished results of research from 1989-1991 indicating major and important breakthroughs in understanding of the implantation process of embryos and the nature and mode of action of conceptus signals responsible for implantation and establishment of pregnancy in several mammalian species. The major discussion will focus on early pregnancy factors, including platelet activating factor (PAF) and conceptus interferons, their mechanism(s) of action, their endocrine control and their effects during early pregnancy in both livestock and women. It is anticipated that this knowledge will ultimately lead to new methods for reducing embryonic mortality in animal agriculture and increasing fertility in both livestock and women. The scope of the meeting will be limited to factors affecting establishment of pregnancy during the peri-implantation period. Because of significant activities in this area of research by scientists in Australia and the United States, the seminar will provide a forum for the exchange of published and unpublished results, as well as for establishing areas for future U.S.-Australian cooperative research.
