Researchers from throughout the United States and abroad will gather July 18-20 at UC Davis for the third International Veterinary Perinatology Conference, which will focus on the anatomy and physiology of animal mothers and infants during pregnancy and up to 28 days after birth. Research in this area has led to a greater understanding of development and disease in both high-risk and normal human pregnancies. For example, using non-human primates, scientists have determined ways to diagnose and treat fetal abnormalities. "This conference will emphasize the comparative aspects of the discipline and will feature papers by both human and veterinary medical experts," says Dr. Sally Vivrette, an equine neonatologist with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Sessions will cover perinatal endocrinology; intrauterine growth retardation, growth factors and placental metabolism; comparative cardiopulmonary studies; as well as bovine, equine, laboratory animal and primate perinatology.