Abstract: The invention relates to methods for pregnancy and non-pregnancy testing and also relates to methods allowing determination of proper insemination time to establish pregnancy. The invention provides method to determine whether an inseminated female mammal is pregnant prior to a point in time at which said mammal would be expected to ovulate if non-pregnant, said method comprising taking a biological sample from said mammal prior to said point in time and testing said sample for the presence of a multiple pregnancy marker pattern (MPMP). It is preferred that said sample is tested for the relative expression of progesterone and of at least one marker selected from a group of marker proteins that each contribute to a significantly differential marker expression pattern related to the status pregnancy and is tested to determine whether said mammal is non-pregnant and may be re-inseminated.

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: 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: An apparatus for freezing live cells, in particular sperm, which cells are included in at least one sample in at least one container, wherein means are provided for cooling the or each container, wherein the cooling means (5, 6, 7; 105, 106, 107) comprise at least one contact face (3, 103), capable of being cooled, for cooling, during use, the or each container (16, 116) and the or each sample included therein through abutting contact, wherein control means (10, 110) are provided for controlling, during cooling, the cooling rate (TG) and the ambient temperature of the or each container (16, 116).