Abstract: By this invention, a plant &bgr;-ketoacyl-CoA synthase condensing enzyme is provided free from intact cells of said plant and capable of catalyzing the production of very long chain fatty acid molecules. Also contemplated are constructs comprising the nucleic acid sequence and a heterologous DNA sequence not naturally associated with the condensing enzyme encoding sequences, and which provide for at least transcription of a plant condensing enzyme encoding sequence in a host cell. In this fashion very long chain fatty acid molecules may be produced in a plant cell. Included are methods of modifying the composition of very long chain fatty acid molecules in a plant cell.

Abstract: Tail-mounted devices and methods for securing an object in an animal's, preferably a cow's, vagina, the device typically comprising a first and second tail anchor or ring, and a tether attached to the first tail anchor. The invention is most suited for and capable of attachment to a housing or object that is inserted into the cow's vagina. The purpose of the disclosed devices and methods is to hold an object resident in the vagina for an extended periods of time, including periods of 14 days or longer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions which allow for the extended release and enhanced bioavailability of biologically-active polypeptides following parenteral delivery to an animal. More particularly, it concerns compositions comprising biologically-active somatotropin formulated for extended release, methods of preparing these compositions, and methods of using the same. These compositions comprise somatotropin, a bioavailability-enhancing constituent (BEC), and a substantially non-aqueous, hydrophobic excipient. The BEC may comprise (i) amino acids or amino acid derivatives, such as histidine-HCl; (ii) hydroxamate derivatives, such as histidine hydroxamate or suberohydroxamic acid; (iii) non-reducing carbohydrates, such as trehalose or trehalose octaacetate; (iv) oxo-acid salts, such as a mixture of monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphate; or (v) a mixture of two or more compounds from within the foregoing classes (i)-(iv).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising biologically-active somatotropin formulated for extended release and methods of preparing and methods of using the same. These compositions comprise somatotropin, at least a first bioavailability-enhancing constituent (BEC), and a substantially non-aqueous, hydrophobic excipient, and optionally a second BEC. The first BEC is typically a surfactant (preferably a non-ionic surfactant) or a cyclodextrin compound. The optional second BEC may comprise (i) amino acids or amino acid derivatives; (ii) hydroxamate derivatives; (iii) non-reducing carbohydrates; (iv) oxo-acid salts; or (v) a mixture of two or more compounds from within the foregoing classes (i)-(iv).

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and a method for monitoring, in vivo, the ruminal pH of an animal. The apparatus has an external aspect at the outside of the animal, an indwelling ruminal aspect; and an intermediate aspect between the external and indwelling aspects. The indwelling aspect further has a pH sensor; and the external aspect further having a housing and a means for storing data from the pH sensor in said housing. The apparatus may further comprise a means for transmitting signals corresponding to the pH data collected and a means for receiving said signals. The method of monitoring, in vivo, the pH of the rumen of an animal includes installing any of the embodiments of the apparatus to the animal and taking a plurality of measurements of the pH from the apparatus, and transmitting signals corresponding to said measurements to a receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter which allow for the extended release and enhanced bioavailability of biologically-active polypeptides following parenteral delivery to an animal. More particularly, it concerns compositions comprising biologically-active somatotropin formulated for extended release, methods of preparing these compositions, and methods of using the same. These compositions comprise somatotropin, a pH-adjusting constituent (PAC), and a substantially non-aqueous, hydrophobic excipient. The PAC may comprise any suitable, biocompatible compound including, but not limited to one or mixtures of two or more of the following: acetic acid, phosphoric acid, monobasic phosphate. The PAC is added to the compositions of matter in an amount effective to adjust the pH to or near to the isoelectric point (pI) of the somatotropin component.

Abstract: The use of multigene vectors for the preparation of transformed host cells and plants is disclosed. Multigene vectors reduce the number of transformations required, and leads to increased production of polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer in the resulting transformed host cells and plants.

Abstract: A method for bacterially producing IGF-I is disclosed in which Gram-negative bacteria are caused to express a gene consisting of a lamB or ompF signal sequence operatively joined to a DNA sequence encoding IGF-I and producing IGF-I which is secreted into the periplasmic space of the bacteria.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: Prolonged parenteral release of a bioactive polypeptide at desirably effective levels can be achieved using novel compositions in which the polypeptide is present in a biocompatible oil in an unusually high proportion such as at least about 10% by weight. Also disclosed are certain metal-associated somatotropins that are useful for prolonged parenteral release of such somatotropins.

Abstract: A method for bacterially producing IGF-I is disclosed in which Gram-negative bacteria are caused to express a gene consisting of a lamB or ompF signal sequence operatively joined to a DNA sequence encoding IGF-I and producing IGF-I which is secreted into the periplasmic space of the bacteria.

Abstract: Beef cattle treated with bovine somatotropin and an estrogenic agent during the final stages of growth show improved carcass weight and dressing percent when the somatotropin is administered intraperitoneally at a substantially constant rate.

Abstract: Prolonged parenteral release of a bioactive polypeptide at desirably effective levels can be achieved using novel compositions in which the polypeptide is present in a biocompatible oil in an unusually high proportion such as at least about 10% by weight. Also disclosed are certain metal-associated somatotropins that are useful for prolonged parenteral release of such somatotropins.

Abstract: A method for bacterially producing IGF-I is disclosed in which Gram-negative bacteria are caused to express a gene consisting of a lamb or ompF signal sequence operatively joined to a DNA sequence encoding IGF-I and producing IGF-I which is secreted into the periplasmic space of the bacteria.

Abstract: Prolonged parenteral release of a bioactive somatotropin at desirably effective levels can be achieved using novel compositions in which the somatotropin is present in a biocompatible oil in an unusually high proportion such as at least about 10% by weight. Also disclosed are certain metal-associated somatotropins that are useful for prolonged parenteral release of such somatotropins.

Abstract: A syringe assembly is comprised of a plunger, a syringe barrel having a cannula collar at one end of the barrel and an interior chamber within the barrel, a hollow cannula secured within the syringe barrel collar with the cannula extending axially from the collar to its distal end, a bore extending axially through the cannula and the syringe barrel collar, a segment of the bore decreasing (e.g., tapering) in diameter as it extends in a direction from the distal end of the cannula toward the barrel interior chamber, and a sheath removably attached to the syringe barrel and covering the cannula, the sheath being affixed to a center rod extending axially from the sheath into the bore at the cannula distal end and then seating in a sealing engagement with said segment of the interior bore.

Abstract: Prolonged parenteral release of a bioactive polypeptide at desirably effective levels can be achieved using novel compositions in which the polypeptide is present in a biocompatible oil in an unusually high proportion such as at least about 10% by weight. Also disclosed are certain metal-associated somatotropins that are useful for prolonged parenteral release of such somatotropins.

Abstract: A method for preparing polypeptides in bacteria with an alanine rather than a methionine at the N-terminus. The DNA sequence expressed has an alanine codon immediately following from one to about three contiguous methionine codons including a translation start signal and allows for the expression of polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of, for example, naturally occurring eucaryotic proteins such as various bovine and porcine somatotropin species.

Abstract: An assay for determining the presence in bovine genetic material of a genetic marker located on the bovine somatotropin gene indicative of an inheritable trait of increased milk production is provided. The marker is a polymorphism in the gene encoding somatotropin at amino acid position 126 which results in two forms of somatotropin existing in bovine. The assay comprises analyzing a bovine to determine its genotype with respect to the somatotropin gene. Bovine with the desired marker can be selected for inclusion in breeding programs or for milking. The desired marker indicative of superior milk production is dependent upon the breed of cattle. Holstein cattle that are homozygous for the leucine forms of somatotropin are desired. Jersey cattle that are homozygous for the valine form of somatotropin are desired. A kit for performing the assay is also provided.

Abstract: An instrument for injecting implants through animal hide is comprised of an injector having a tubular body divided into two adjacent segments with a hollow interior bore extending through the segments of the body. The second segment of the body has a generally tapering configuration as it extends to the distal end of the body and is formed as a pair of laterally adjacent tines that extend longitudinally from adjacent the first body segment to the distal end of the body. One of the tines has a larger lateral width than a second of the tines at laterally adjacent cross sections of the tines, and one tine has a terminal end at the distal end of the body for making incisions through animal hide when employing the instrument in injecting implants. A push rod having a longitudinal length at least equal to the longitudinal length of the body is inserted through the interior bore of the body pushing the implant before it.