Abstract: A method of liquid nitrogen surface vitrification requiring an embryo washed in a rinsing medium, then incubated in a base medium and incubated in a hold medium before being washed in a vitrification medium and produced into a vitrification droplet (270). For forming the droplet, vitrification medium (210), an intermediary fluid such as air, followed by vitrification medium containing at least one embryo (250) are aspirated into the channel. The vitrification droplet consequently can contain an air bubble (220). The vitrification droplet can be produced from an instrument with a channel and dropped directly into liquid phase nitrogen producing a vitrified droplet. The vitrified droplet can be stored in cryo-vessels, and warmed for revitalization of biological function of vitrified biological cell mass or tissues, such as oocytes and/or embryos.

Abstract: A method of liquid nitrogen surface vitrification requiring an embryo washed in a rinsing medium, then incubated in a base medium and incubated in a hold medium before being washed in a vitrification medium and produced into a vitrification droplet (270). For forming the droplet, vitrification medium (210), an intermediary fluid such as air, followed by vitrification medium containing at least one embryo (250) are aspirated into the channel. The vitrification droplet consequently can contain an air bubble (220). The vitrification droplet can be produced from an instrument with a channel and dropped directly into liquid phase nitrogen producing a vitrified droplet. The vitrified droplet can be stored in cryo-vessels, and warmed for revitalization of biological function of vitrified biological cell mass or tissues, such as oocytes and/or embryos.

Abstract: Methods and systems for physically separating helper embryos from desired embryos in a group culturing technique in order to maintain the pedigree and genetic information of the desired embryos from different species, including cattle and human, and to provide the developmental benefits of group culturing. The separation of the groups of embryos can be the result of embedding one group of embryos in a gel or solid, or the groups can be physically separated by a membrane or other structure.

Abstract: Provided herein methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell on a rabbit feeder cell layer, wherein the rabbit feeder layer expresses a leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) protein. Also provided are methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell in a culture medium comprising rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor (rbLIF) protein. Also provided are polynucleotide and amino acid sequences of a rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor protein (rbLIF).

Abstract: Provided herein methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell on a rabbit feeder cell layer, wherein the rabbit feeder layer expresses a leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) protein. Also provided are methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell in a culture medium comprising rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor (rbLIF) protein. Also provided are polynucleotide and amino acid sequences of a rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor protein (rbLIF).