Abstract: An apparatus for separating and collecting one or more oocytes from a fluid mixture includes a chamber inserted into a hollow elongate tube. An inlet channel receives an injected fluid mixture of oocytes and extraneous fluids and passes the fluid mixture to the hollow elongate tube. A separation unit positioned within the chamber includes a porous filter that selectively filters the fluid mixture to retain the oocytes in the hollow elongate tube, and a propeller for agitating the extraneous fluids for allowing unobstructed passage of the extraneous fluids into an outlet channel and for compactly collecting fibrin elements from the extraneous fluids. A flow of the extraneous fluids rotates the propeller on application of a vacuum suction force. Furthermore, the chamber includes an outlet channel for allowing passage of the extraneous fluids separated from the fluid mixture out of the chamber, and retaining the oocytes in the hollow elongate tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of collecting semen from the epididymis or the testis of a lab animal and an artificial insemination method thereof. The present invention relates to a new applicable method in the animal production field using artificial insemination. Since the present invention solves the problems of the conventional method of artificial insemination of lab animals, it is excellent in terms of the pregnancy rate and productivity; is time-efficient; and is superior in economic and industrial respects by preventing a huge economic loss due to the costs for maintaining the mass breeding of animals.

Abstract: A container assembly comprises a vessel for containing a biological medium, gametes and/or one or more embryo(s). The vessel has a CO2 permeable seal and a closure valve device for selective access. A buffer chamber for a CO2 enriched atmosphere cooperates with the vessel and is in communication with the CO2 permeable wall. Such a container assembly is particularly adapted for intravaginal use in which case the permeable seal prevents ingress of vaginal secretions. The buffer chamber mediates the aqueous pH in the vessel after the container assembly is removed from a CO2 enriched environment.

Abstract: A fertilization and culture container, e.g. for intravaginal use, comprises a container body having an orifice for introducing a culture medium, one or more oocytes and sperm, resealable closure means for selectively opening and closing the container body orifice, the container body having a main chamber for receiving the culture medium, oocytes and sperm and a microchamber for collecting for retrieval of one or more embryos. The container body has elements for restricting access of retrieval catheter or pipette relative to the microchamber. At least a portion of a sidewall of the container body defining said microchamber is transparent and of optical quality for microscopic inspection of embryos prior to and/or during retrieval with a catheter or a pipette.

Abstract: An artificial insemination (AI) device for the insemination of bovines and other animals including three hollow and essentially cylindrical tubular elements. Each element is provided with an open proximal and an open distal end, the three elements being: an outer protective sheath, an inner sheath, and a semen tube, whereby the diameter of the elements is such that the inner sheath is axially movable in the outer protective sheath and the semen tube is axially movable in the inner sheath, whereby the length of the outer sheath is less than the length of the inner sheath and whereby the inner sheath and the semen tube are jointly axially displaceable in and through the outer sheath.

Abstract: A sachet (11) for packaging animal semen, comprising two thermoplastics material films delimiting a pocket (12) along a closed path of generally rectangular shape defining two shorter sides and two longer sides when the sachet is empty, wherein one of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a filler conduit (14) and defining a filler area (15) in said thermoplastics material films and the other of said shorter sides has an interruption extended by a drainer conduit and defining a drainer area (17) in said thermoplastics material films, characterized in that said drainer conduit (16) has two different diameters (D1 and D2), of which the smaller diameter (D1) is at the end communicating with the interior of said sachet.

Abstract: A catheter for artificial insemination which is a hollow cylindrical catheter having open ends at both ends, the catheter comprising a small diameter portion forming a distal end portion, a large diameter portion forming a proximal end portion and a tapered portion connecting the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, a total inner volume of the catheter being from 0.2 to 1.0 ml.

Abstract: A method and composition for artificial insemination. The method involves artificially inseminating the subject with sperm, wherein the sperm is combined or coadministered with an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase and preferably a soluble salt of an earth alkaline metal. The composition comprises phosphodiesterase inhibitor or a functional equivalent thereof, a soluble salt of an earth alkaline metal and sperm. The method and composition reduce the recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, methods, and kits for collecting semen and other biological fluids. The devices comprise a container that has an opening that fits on a glans of a penis, preferably only the distal portion of the glans, wherein said opening has an adhesive that detachably adheres the device to the penis. The present invention facilitates stimulating the penis to achieve ejaculation, the hygienic collection and secure storage of semen, and transferring the collected semen to other containers.

Abstract: An assembly for penetrating the uterus of an animal during a non-surgical procedure comprising a probe having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis and a probing member extending at least laterally outwardly at the forward end of the probe body, a channel extending between an inlet opening at a distance from the probing member and an outlet opening near the probing member, wherein the channel comprises at least one bend or curve, such that the axis of the channel near the outlet opening encloses an angle different from 180° with the longitudinal axis of the probe body, the probe being adapted to be inserted, forward end first, inside the cervix of the animal, and manipulatable to gently maneuver the probing member in a forward direction through the cervix to a position in which the probing member and the outlet opening are within or adjacent the body of the uterus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safer and more effective deep trans-cervical intra-uterine artificial insemination (AI) is provided. Such a deep AI catheter causes minimal discomfort and risk of trauma, and does not require the services of a highly trained AI professional. First, a catheter is inserted into the cervical tract of the animal. A membrane, initially positioned inside a tube section of the catheter, is then extended from an opening in the tube and into the tract under pressure. The membrane extends into the tract without friction thereby reducing the discomfort and the risk of trauma or injury to the animal. When the membrane is fully extended into the tract, pressure causes the tip of the membrane to open thereby releasing the AI fluid and depositing the genetic material suspended in the fluid into the reproductive tract.

Abstract: A connecting device for connecting a container (1) consisting of a sealed flexible bag (3) to an external duct (2) that includes a tube (4) with a connecting opening (5). A rigid tubular coupling (6) is loosely arranged within the flexible container (1) and comprises a frusto-conical projection (7) sized in such a way that it may be force-fitted into the opening (5). A user grasps the coupling (6) and places it against the inner surface of the bag (3) while placing the opening (5) of the external duct (2) against the outer surface of the bag (3), then axially presses on the coupling (6) so that it perforates the bag (3) and sealingly engages the opening (5). The fluid in the container (1) can then flow through the coupling (6) into the external duct (2).

Abstract: An animal harboring a non-native germ cell, its corresponding line, and the corresponding germ cells, are obtained by colonizing the testis (or testes) of a host animal with primitive cells followed by raising and/or breeding the host.

Abstract: An artificial insemination and embryo transfer device comprises an elongate hollow tube, and a hollow straw containing a reproductive organism therein and fitted in the elongate tube. A flexible tip is secured to an end of the elongate tube and engaged with the straw. The tip has a passage in communication with the straw and a conical portion adapted to smoothly pass it through a cervical canal of a female subject. A piston rod is slidably mounted in the elongate tube and constructed to enter into the straw so as to discharge the reproductive organism contained in the straw through the passage of the tip by its axial advancement. A locking element is disposed between the elongate tube and the piston rod for restraining a free axial movement of the piston rod within the elongate tube. A first enclosure is inserted around the elongate tube so as to protect the elongate tube against contamination from infectious materials in the cervical canal during the passing of the device through the cervical canal.

Abstract: A method of depositing reproductive material into the reproductive tract of a female comprising inserting an elongated transfer catheter into the reproductive tract of a female. The transfer catheter includes an elongated catheter body having an elongated passage extending through the catheter body and terminating in a distal opening at a distal end of the catheter body. The distal opening opens both axially and laterally of the catheter body. The method also includes introducing the reproductive biological material through the passage and the distal opening of the catheter body into the reproductive tract.

Abstract: A catheter for fallopian tube access comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal region, a distal end and an elongated passage extending from the proximal region to the distal end. The elongated passage terminates in a distal opening at the distal end. The catheter body has an enlarged distal body portion and the distal opening is on the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a deflecting surface in the elongated passage adjacent the distal opening for directing a member or fluid passed through the elongated passage out of the distal opening along a path having a component which extends laterally of the catheter body.

Abstract: Fibers coated with thin polymeric films are disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment, microporous fibers are coated with a pre-cast polymeric film having a thickness of about 200 to about 2000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A method for both disposing an agent in a body organ, preferably a sexual organ, of a human or animal and retrieving a fluid sample containing the agent from the body organ of the human or animal, utilizing a percutaneous access port. A portion of the percutaneous access port is implanted in a body organ of the human or animal and connected to the body organ so that fluid communication exists between the body organ and the fluid chamber of the percutaneous access port, wherein the fluid chamber is not percutaneously implanted. An agent is disposed in the fluid chamber of the percutaneous access port, and flushed to the organ. At a later time, a fluid sample containing the agent is withdrawn from the fluid chamber, and the amount of the agent in the sample is determined.

Abstract: Set of instruments for uterine embryo transfer and intra-uterine insemination having a catheter guide tube (1) and a cather (8) provided with a metal reinforcing tube (11) in its proximal area. The catheter guide tube (1) has a gentle bend (2) in its distal area and ends in a ball (3) at its distal end. The metal reinforcing tube (11) surrounds the catheter (8).

Abstract: A catheter for accessing a body cavity such as the reproductive system of the female, the catheter including a shaft which is connected at its distal end to a nonexpansible segment. A lumen in the shaft communicates with a passage in the segment. The segment further includes reinforcing material disposed within the segment to resist constriction of the passage. A catheter system and methods of using same includes such an access catheter and an introducing catheter through which the access catheter is insertable, and a transfer catheter which is insertable through the access catheter. The invention is useful particularly in treatment of infertility by placing reproductive cells in the uterus or a fallopian tube.

Abstract: The fertilization process comprises the following steps: a) a container (15) which can be introduced into, and lodged in, the uterine cavity of the mammal is provided; b) the container (15) is filled with a culture medium, at least one ovocyte of the mammal, and spermatozoa; c) the filled container (15) is inserted in the uterine cavity; d) the container (15) is left for a given length of time to allow fertilization of the ovocyte(s) to take place; e) the contents of the container (15) are released into the uterine cavity. The container may be made from a tube of biodegradable or non-biodegradable material. In the latter case, it is associated with a stiffening device. A biodegradable container (15) filled with gametes and a culture medium is placed in the uterine cavity using an implantation device (20) which is then withdrawn from the mammal's genital tract.

Abstract: The invention provides an universally applicable transfer device for material such animal sperm or embryos to be implanted, having a catheter covered by a sleeve which is generally discarded after use and which is detachably held in place by a clamp, more especially an eccentric gripping device at the proximal end of the catheter. The design of the sleeve end is unimportant. At the distal end the sleeve tapers conically and externally it has a shaped member securing the conical form and a rounded form. The shaped member is mounted on the wall material of the sleeve. The external shaped member may be supplemented by an internal shaped member so that the distal sleeve end is gripped between the two. A cutting means integrated in the device ensures that the cartridges are cut accurately in the desired plane.

Abstract: The A fertilization process comprises includes the following steps: a) a container (15) which can be introduced into, and lodged in, the uterine cavity of the mammal is provided; b) the container (15) is filled with a culture medium, at least one ovocyte of the mammal, and spermatozoa; c) the filled container (15) is inserted into the uterine cavity; d) the container (15) is left for a given length of time to allow fertilization of the ovocyte(s) to take place; e) the contents of the container (15) are released into the uterine cavity. The container may be made from a tube of biodegradable or non-biodegradable material. In the latter case, it is associated with a stiffening device. A biodegradable container (15) filled with gametes and a culture medium is placed in the uterine cavity using an implantation device (20) which is then withdrawn from the mammal's genital tract.