Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having the amino acid sequence shown in the sequence listing; an agent for inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood comprising the above peptide, a peptide Val-Tyr-Pro and/or a peptide Val-Thr-Leu as an active component; a food for specified health use which is endowed with a function of inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood by comprising these peptides as an active component; and a feed which is endowed with a function of inhibiting elevations of triglyceride levels in blood by comprising these peptides as an active component. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to prevent or treat obesity and hyperlipemia in humans and animals as well as cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis associated therewith. Furthermore, it becomes possible to improve the meat quality of livestock and hatchery fish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having an amino acid sequence of Val-Val-Tyr-Pro as well as an agent for inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood, a food for specified health use (the so-called physiologically functional food) and a feed comprising the above peptide as an active component. According to the present invention, a peptide inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood as well as an agent for inhibiting elevation of triglyceride levels in blood, a physiologically functional food and a feed, all comprising the peptide as an active component are obtained. With these products of the invention, it becomes possible to prevent or treat obesity and hyperlipemia of human and animals as well as circulatory system diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis associated therewith. Furthermore, the materials of the invention make it possible to improve the meat quality of livestock and hatchery fish.

Abstract: This invention aims to provide a peptide having an amino acid sequence of Val-Tyr-Pro or Val-Thr-Leu and having the ability to inhibit adipocyte differentiations, adipocyte differentiation inhibiting agent incorporating therein as an active component the peptide or a proteolysate characterized by containing not less than 0.1% by weight of the peptide, a specific health food, and a feed. This invention permits prevention and therapy of obesity and cardiovascular diseases attendant on obesity such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis in men and animals. It also allows improvement of the meat quality in domestic animals and culured fish.

Abstract: The present invention provides PCR primers with which sexing of bovine embryos can be easily attained and provides a practical, rapid and reliable method for determining the sex of bovine embryos using these primers. The methods for determining the sex of the bovine embryos are characterized by discriminating PCR products which are obtained by amplifying specific DNA sequences by PCR with pairs of male-specific and gender-neutral primers. These primers are derived from DNAs which specifically hybridize to the bovine male genome and from DNAs which gender-neutrally hybridize to both bovine male and female genomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides PCR primers with which sexing of bovine embryos can be easily attained and provides a practical, rapid and reliable method for determining the sex of bovine embryos using these primers. The methods for determining the sex of the bovine embryos are characterized by discriminating PCR products which are obtained by amplifying specific DNA sequences by PCR with pairs of male-specific and gender-neutral primers. These primers are derived from DNAs which specifically hybridize to the bovine male genome and from DNAs which gender-neutrally hybridize to both bovine male and female genomes.