Mapletoft receives 2010 IETS Pioneer Award

Dr. Reuben Mapletoft

Dr. Reuben Mapletoft, professor of theriogenology in the WCVM’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, was presented the 2010 IETS Pioneer Award in January 2010 during the International Embryo Transfer Society(IETS) annual meeting in Cordoba, Argentina.

The IETS Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made fundamental contributions to the development of embryo transfer technology and the embryo transfer industry.

Mapletoft is the ideal candidate for the award: his work over the past 35 years has led to new developments in assisted reproductive technologies to help improve cattle genetics on every continent.

Mapletoft is world renowned for his work in the manipulation of ovarian follicular wave dynamics for the purposes of superovulation, estrus synchronization and fixed-time breeding in cattle. He has also been involved with the use of superovulation and in vitro fertilization technology to study oocyte competence and the effect of sperm defects on fertilization and embryo development.

Mapletoft is also one of the founding members of the University of Saskatchewan’s Reproductive Science and Medicine group that encourages close collaboration between reproduction specialists from the colleges of medicine and veterinary medicine.

For a more detailed description of Mapletoft’s career and achievements, please download an article from the latest issue of Reproduction, Fertility and Development (PDF 184 KB).

First awarded in 1982, the Pioneer Award has recognized 28 scientists from all over the world, including several members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Fellows of the British Royal Society. The award itself was designed and fabricated by silversmith Lois Etherington Betteridge, a member of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour presented to a Canadian.