Abstract: Disclosed are arrays of nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods using SNPs on genes of the bovine interferon tau signaling pathway for improved bovine fertilization rate, or embryo survival, or both.

Abstract: Differentially expressed miRNA or small mRNA in the culture media of embryos were found to correlate to and affect embryo developmental fate. Accordingly the present invention provides a method for selecting a bovine embryo for implantation into a female bovine animal for further development based on the levels of specific miRNA or small mRNA. Also provided are methods of improving bovine embryo development fate by reducing in the culture medium the level of selected miRNAs.

Abstract: Differentially expressed miRNA or small mRNA in the culture media of embryos were found to correlate to and affect embryo developmental fate. Accordingly the present invention provides a method for selecting a bovine embryo for implantation into a female bovine animal for further development based on the levels of specific miRNA or small mRNA. Also provided are methods of improving bovine embryo development fate by reducing in the culture medium the level of selected miRNAs.

Abstract: Method for determining developmental fate of early embryos comprises measuring the expression level of a gene selected from the group consisting of CDKIV1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, MKRN3, NAP1L5, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, and UBE3A genes. Also disclosed is a method for improving pregnancy rate, wherein early embryos whose expression level of the MKRN3, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, or UBE3A gene is not increased, or the expression level of the CDKIV1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, or NAP1L5 gene is not decreased, are selected for planting into a suitable uterus for further development. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the likelihood of an early embryo to develop successfully into full-term pregnancy, wherein a suitable amount of siRNA corresponding to the PHLDA2 gene is injected into a fertilized egg which is in turn cultured further and planted into a suitable uterus.

Abstract: Method for determining developmental fate of early embryos comprises measuring the expression level of a gene selected from the group consisting of CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, MKRN3, NAP1L5, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, and UBE3A genes. Also disclosed is a method for improving pregnancy rate, wherein early embryos whose expression level of the MKRN3, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, or UBE3A gene is not increased, or the expression level of the CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, or NAP1L5 gene is not decreased, are selected for planting into a suitable uterus for further development. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the likelihood of an early embryo to develop successfully into full-term pregnancy, wherein a suitable amount of siRNA corresponding to the PHLDA2 gene is injected into a fertilized egg which is in turn cultured further and planted into a suitable uterus.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules comprising a SNP site at position 1296 of bovine uterine milk protein (UTMP) coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1), which SNP indicates a desirable productive life in a dairy cattle. Also disclosed are an array or a kit comprising the same, a method for detecting the SNPs, a method for progeny testing of cattle, and a method for selectively breeding of cattle.

Abstract: Differentially expressed miRNA or small mRNA in the culture media of embryos were found to correlate to and affect embryo developmental fate. Accordingly the present invention provides a method for selecting a bovine embryo for implantation into a female bovine animal for further development based on the levels of specific miRNA or small mRNA. Also provided are methods of improving bovine embryo development fate by reducing in the culture medium the level of selected miRNAs.

Abstract: Method for determining developmental fate of early embryos comprises measuring the expression level of a gene selected from the group consisting of CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, MKRN3, NAP1L5, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, and UBE3A genes. Also disclosed is a method for improving pregnancy rate, wherein early embryos whose expression level of the MKRN3, NDN, PEG3, PHLDA2, TSSC4, or UBE3A gene is not increased, or the expression level of the CDKN1C, IGF2R, MAGEL2, or NAP1L5 gene is not decreased, are selected for planting into a suitable uterus for further development. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the likelihood of an early embryo to develop successfully into full-term pregnancy, wherein a suitable amount of siRNA corresponding to the PHLDA2 gene is injected into a fertilized egg which is in turn cultured further and planted into a suitable uterus.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphic sites of the bovine MAP1B, PPP1R11, and DDX4 genes are associated with improved bull fertility as measured by e.g. sire conception rates. Nucleic acid molecules, arrays, kits, methods of genotyping and marker-assisted bovine breeding methods based on these SNPs are disclosed.

Abstract: Differentially expressed miRNA or small mRNA in the culture media of embryos were found to correlate to and affect embryo developmental fate. Accordingly the present invention provides a method for selecting a bovine embryo for implantation into a female bovine animal for further development based on the levels of specific miRNA or small mRNA. Also provided are methods of improving bovine embryo development fate by reducing in the culture medium the level of selected miRNAs.

Abstract: Arrays of nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods based on novel SNPs on genes of the bovine transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) signaling pathway for improved bovine fertilization rate. The methods and compositions of the present invention are related to SNPs in the DNA-binding protein inhibitor 3 (ID3) gene, and in the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene corresponding to position 2702 of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also disclosed are methods for determining viability of developing bovine embryos by measuring the expression level of one or more target genes in the TGF-signaling pathway, and selecting for implantation only embryos whose target gene expression level is not up-regulated.

Abstract: Arrays of nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods based on novel SNPs on genes of the bovine transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) signaling pathway for improved bovine fertilization rate. The methods and compositions of the present invention are related to SNPs in the DNA-binding protein inhibitor 3 (ID3) gene, and in the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene corresponding to position 2702 of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also disclosed are methods for determining viability of developing bovine embryos by measuring the expression level of one or more target genes in the TGF-signaling pathway, and selecting for implantation only embryos whose target gene expression level is not up-regulated.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphic sites at positions 19069 and 25402 of the bovine STAT3 gene are associated with improved fertilization rate and/or improved embryo survival rate. The interactions between these two polymorphisms, and between them and the bovine STAT1 gene and fertilization and early embryonic survival rates were also disclosed. The interactions between STAT3 SNPs, and between STAT1 and STAT3 SNP19069 were highly significant for embryonic survival rate. Also disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods.

Abstract: Oligonucleic acid molecules comprising a SNP site at a position corresponding to position 7480 of the bovine signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT5A) coding sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1). Also disclosed are an array or a kit comprising the same, a method for detecting the SNPs, a method for progeny testing of mammals, a method for increasing human and non-human mammal pregnancy rate in natural and artificial reproduction processes. Further provided are cattle breeding methods for improved milk production traits.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphic sites of the bovine MAP1B, PPP1R11, and DDX4 genes are associated with improved bull fertility as measured by e.g. sire conception rates. Nucleic acid molecules, arrays, kits, methods of genotyping and marker-assisted bovine breeding methods based on these SNPs are disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a polymorphic site selected from the group consisting of positions 164, 269, 284, 407 and 989 of SEQ ID NO: 1, an array or a kit comprising the same. Also provided are a method for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in bovine proteinase inhibitor (PI) gene, a method for haplotyping a bovine cell, a method for progeny testing of cattle based on said haplotyping, a method for selectively breeding of cattle based on haplotyping a parent animal. The present invention further provides a method for testing a dairy cattle for its milk production trait, comprising haplotyping its cells, wherein a cattle having haplotypes 1, 3, 4 or 5 indicates that the cattle has desirable milk production trait. Haplotype 1 indicates that the cattle has the most desirable milk production trait.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphic sites of the bovine MAP1B, PPP1R11, and DDX4 genes are associated with improved bull fertility as measured by e.g. sire conception rates. Nucleic acid molecules, arrays, kits, methods of genotyping and marker-assisted bovine breeding methods based on these SNPs are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are arrays of nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods using SNPs on genes of the bovine interferon tau signaling pathway for improved bovine fertilization rate, or embryo survival, or both.

Abstract: Differentially expressed miRNA or small mRNA in the culture media of embryos were found to correlate to and affect embryo developmental fate. Accordingly the present invention provides a method for selecting a bovine embryo for implantation into a female bovine animal for further development based on the levels of specific miRNA or small mRNA. Also provided are methods of improving bovine embryo development fate by reducing in the culture medium the level of selected miRNAs.

Abstract: A single nucleotide polymorphic site at position 10793 of the bovine POU1F1 gene is associated with improved longevity and milk product traits. Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods.