Conferences and seminars
Welcome to BoS
The biennial Biology of Spermatozoa (BoS) meetings are a chance to bring together biologists interested in different aspects of reproductive biology, such as behavioural ecologists, reproductive physiologists, evolutionary biologists, theoreticians and those interested in IVF. The aim is to provide a forum in which researchers working in different areas of reproductive biology can exchange new ideas. To this end, meetings are limited to 60-80 individuals to maximize informality and the exchange of ideas.
In 1992, the meeting was established and organized by Tim Birkhead and Harry Moore (University of Sheffield), and they continued to invest their substantial energy in running the meetings through 2015. For the 2017 meeting, Tim and Harry handed over the reins to a steering group of BoS regulars led by Rhonda Snook. From 2019 BoS meetings have been co-organized by Rhonda Snook and John Fitzpatrick.
Next Meeting
The next in-person BoS meeting will be held September 4-8 2023.
Registration information will be sent via email to interested registrants.
Frequenty Asked Questions about BoS
Q: I am interested in receiving registration information. How can I get added to the email distribution list?
A: Email a request to be added to the distribution list to: bos.info@zoologi.su.se
Q: My email has changed. How can I update my contact information on the the email distirbuiton list?
A: Email your updated contact information to: bos.info@zoologi.su.se
Q: I would like to suggest someone as a plenary speaker. How do I go about this?
A: Email your suggestion to: bos.info@zoologi.su.se
Previous Meetings
The first BoS meeting was held in Sheffield in 1992, with meeting taking place regularly over the next 25 years. BoS 2019 was the 15th BoS meeting.
The rich history of BoS can be viewed through published reviews provided by delegates chosen to write a summary about the research presented at the meeting. Follow the links below to read these published reviews and see how research topics have changed over time.
2019 - There and back again: A sperm's tale - Melissah Rowe & Patrice Rosengrave - Molecular Reproduction & Development in press
2017 - Finding sperm in the English countryside - John Fitzpatrick & Erica Larson - Molecular Reproduction & Development 85: 371-373
2015 - Spermatozoa in the peak district - Mariana Wolfner & Bob Montgomerie - Molecular Reproduction & Development 83: 8-11
2013 - Supporters of sperm - Hanne Lovlie - Spermatogenesis 4: e27596
2011 - They produce sperm, but whose is it? - Stefan Lupold - Spermatogenesis 1: 1-2
2009 - “The glory of sperm” - Nina Wedell - ISBE Newsletter, Vol. 21 (2)
2007 - “A tail of two sperm & other stories” - Steve Ramm - Genetics Society News, Issue 58
2003 (b) - “Sperm tales” - Ed Harris - ISBE Newsletter, Vol. 15 (2)
2003 (a) - Seminal advances in sexual selection - Tristan Long - biomednet.com
1999 - Evolutionary dynamic sperm - Tom Tregenza - TREE 15: 85-86
1997 - Sperm counts - Dave Hosken & Paula Stockley - TREE 13: 91-92
1995 - Sperm caucus - Scott Pitnick & Tim Karr - TREE 11: 148-150
Last updated: March 15, 2023
Source: Department of Zoology