Editorial note

Even within the relatively small group of domestic animals a large variability prevails in regard to the mechanisms leading to establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and its physiological termination, parturition. A huge amount of now considered basic knowledge has been accumulated in the past decades, allowing a better understanding and more effective management of animal reproduction. However, there are still more open than answered questions and early embryonic losses, placental dysfunctions and parturition associated problems are constant reminders of this situation. These questions were addressed in the symposium “The Fetomaternal Dialogue in Domestic Animals: From Conception to Placental Release”, held from July 22^nd to 24^th, 2007, at Rauischholzhausen Castle, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. Emphasis was placed on new insights into the underlying endocrine, paracrine and autocrine control mechanisms and new concepts of reproductive strategies.

The symposium was held in cooperation with the German Society for Endocrinology (DGE) and the Academy of Animal Health (AfT). Support was provided by the Giessener Hochschulgesellschaft and the veterinary pharmaceutical companies Intervet, Virbac, Merial, Veyx Pharma and Selectavet.

The organizers, Prof. B. Hoffmann and Prof. G. Schuler, are grateful for the support obtained and also thank all speakers, chairpersons and participants who have made this symposium possible. They are in particular grateful to Prof. Th. Gudermann, Editor-in-chief of Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes, who supported publication of the symposium papers in this journal following a regular review process.

B. Hoffmann

Guest Editor

Correspondence