Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methodologies to make NT a practical procedure for animals, specifically, primates including human and non-human primates. Furthermore, the methods and molecular components provided by the present invention provide a practical means for producing embryos with desired characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the methodology of the present invention comprises introducing nuclei having desired characteristics along with one or more molecular components into an enucleated egg, thus creating a nuclear transfer construct, culturing the egg to produce a viable embryo, transferring the embryo to the oviducts of a female, and producing a cloned animal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methodologies to make NT a practical procedure for animals, specifically, primates including human and non-human primates. Furthermore, the methods and molecular components provided by the present invention provide a practical means for producing embryos with desired characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the methodology of the present invention comprises introducing nuclei having desired characteristics along with one or more molecular components into an enucleated egg, thus creating a nuclear transfer construct, culturing the egg to produce a viable embryo, transferring the embryo to the oviducts of a female, and producing a cloned animal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methodologies to make NT a practical procedure for animals, specifically, primates including human and nonhuman primates. Furthermore, the methods and molecular components provided by the present invention provide a practical means for producing embryos with desired characteristics. In a specific embodiment, we methodology of the present invention comprises introducing nuclei having desired characteristics along with one or more molecular components into an egg, culturing the egg to produce a viable embryo, transferring the embryo to the oviducts of a female, and producing a cloned animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-human primate (nhp) pluripotential embryonic stem (ES) cell, which can be used in several ways as described herein, including to generate chimeric primate embryos. The invention further provides methods to determine the differentiation status of an embryonic cell by comparing its transcriptional patterns with those of ES cells at particular stages of differentiation. The invention further provides a non-human primate embryonic germ (EG) cell which can also be used in several ways, including administering the differentiated EG cell line to a patient to treat a number of diseases. Also provided are methods of generating nhp ES cell+primate embryo chimeras, and methods of deriving EG cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various methodologies to make NT a practical procedure for animals, specifically, primates including human and non-human primates. Furthermore, the methods and molecular components provided by the present invention provide a practical means for producing embryos with desired characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the methodology of the present invention comprises introducing nuclei having desired characteristics along with one or more molecular components into an egg, culturing the egg to produce a viable embryo, transferring the embryo to the oviducts of a female, and producing a cloned animal.

Abstract: A method for evaluating sperm quality is disclosed. The first step of the method is to obtain a quantity of sample mammalian sperm and a sample of mature mammalian oocytes. The oocytes are fertilized with the sperm and the cumulus cells are removed from the fertilized oocytes. The oocytes are then labelled with antibodies directed to microtubules and the labelled microtubules are observed microscopically. The microtubule pattern is evaluated for microtubule aster size and organization. In one preferred from of the present invention, the mammalian sperm and mammalian oocytes are of the same species. In another preferred form of the present invention, the mammalian sperm and oocytes are of different species.

Abstract: A method for evaluating sperm quality is disclosed. The first step of the method is to obtain a quantity of sample mammalian sperm and a sample of mature mammalian oocytes. The oocytes are fertilized with the sperm and the cumulus cells are removed from the fertilized oocytes. The oocytes are then labelled with antibodies directed to microtubules and the labelled microtubules are observed microscopically. The microtubule pattern is evaluated for microtubule aster size and organization. In one preferred from of the present invention, the mammalian sperm and mammalian oocytes are of the same species. In another preferred form of the present invention, the mammalian sperm and oocytes are of different species.