Abstract: Disclosed is novel means that enables collection of embryos from the uterus of a living livestock animal, especially cattle, easily in a short time with the same accuracy as that achieved by a skilled technician. A livestock embryo collection apparatus of the present invention comprises: two syringes; a liquid transfer line for connecting a perfusate supply section-a syringe I-a balloon catheter-a syringe II-an embryo collection section; a liquid transfer direction control section for controlling the direction of transfer of a perfusate in the liquid transfer line; and a syringe pump control section for controlling pump operation of the two syringes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an feed additive comprising a Licorice extract for improving the quality of embryos obtained after the superovulation treatment, as well as, a method for improving the quality of the embryos obtained after the superovulation treatment comprising rearing to a mammal with superovulation treatment using a feed added with Licorice extract.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel means which enables satisfactory preservation of embryos and fertilized eggs in the non-frozen state for a longer period than conventional means, which novel means also achieves high hatching ability and a high conception rate of the embryos after the preservation. The method for preserving a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) of the present invention comprises immersing a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) in a medium containing 20 to 80% (v/v) serum and 10 to 100 mM Good's buffer, and storing the embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) at non-freezing low temperature. The preservative solution for a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) of the present invention essentially consists of a medium containing 20 to 80% (v/v) serum and 10 to 100 mM Good's buffer. The Good's buffer is preferably HEPES.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel means which enables satisfactory preservation of embryos and fertilized eggs in the non-frozen state for a longer period than conventional means, which novel means also achieves high hatching ability and a high conception rate of the embryos after the preservation. The method for preserving a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) of the present invention comprises immersing a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) in a medium containing 20 to 80% (v/v) serum and 10 to 100 mM Good's buffer, and storing the embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) at non-freezing low temperature. The preservative solution for a mammalian embryo(s) or fertilized egg(s) of the present invention essentially consists of a medium containing 20 to 80% (v/v) serum and 10 to 100 mM Good's buffer. The Good's buffer is preferably HEPES.

Abstract: The novel means by which an efficiency of ovum collection can be easily determined in bovine at gene level is disclosed. The present inventors performed the genomic linkage analysis using bovine populations with high and low efficiency of ovum collection and to identify GRIA1 gene, which encodes an ion channel protein, as a factor deeply related to an efficiency of ovum collection. Bovines having a mutation (e.g. the amino acid substitution of aa306) in GRIA1 produce significantly fewer ova on superovulatory treatment than those not having the mutation. Therefore, the efficiency of ovum collection can be determined based on the existence of a mutation in GRIA1 gene.

Abstract: The novel means by which an efficiency of ovum collection can be easily determined in bovine at gene level is disclosed. The present inventors performed the genomic linkage analysis using bovine populations with high and low efficiency of ovum collection and to identify GRIA1 gene, which encodes an ion channel protein, as a factor deeply related to an efficiency of ovum collection. Bovines having a mutation (e.g. the amino acid substitution of aa306) in GRIA1 produce significantly fewer ova on superovulatory treatment than those not having the mutation. Therefore, the efficiency of ovum collection can be determined based on the existence of a mutation in GRIA1 gene.

Abstract: Methods for collecting cells in M phase or G1 phase, by which the percentage of M phase or G1 phase cells is higher than that attained by the conventional methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for collecting cells in M phase or G1 phase, by which the percentage of M phase or G1 phase cells is higher than that attained by the conventional methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for freezing bovine embryos with a composition which includes 4% ethylene glycol and 4% propanediol and in addition 4% bovine serum albumin containing a high lipid content is disclosed. The mixture is subjected to freezing and used in a method for reproducing cattle by transferring to a cow recipient directly after thawing the preserved embryos. Further, a high lipid content is disclosed as 2.5 ug or more of lipid/mg of bovine serum albumin. The bovine embryos are obtained by in vivo fertilization or by in vitro fertilization for use in the disclosed methods.