Abstract: The invention concerns methods for the development of mutant animals, including genetically engineered animals and those carrying spontaneous mutations, as human disease models. In particular, the invention provides an integrated technology, including rigorous specifications and quality control, for the development of animal models that can serve as a living assay system, useful in biomedical research and in the development of human therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing transgenic animals. Specifically, the methods of the present invention include production of a transgenic animal by transgenic intracytoplasmic sperm injection, retroviral gene transfer, intracytoplasmic nuclear injection, and pronuclear injection. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods for using transgenic animals as models for human disease and diagnosis. In particular, these transgenic animals may be used as models for embryo and fetal development, as models to assess the safety and efficacy of drug therapy and gene therapy, and as models for disease diagnosis. The methods of the present invention are also directed to methods of using transgenic embryonic cells to treat human diseases.

Abstract: A method for improving efficiencies in livestock production comprises grouping livestock animals, such as cattle and pigs, during the period of their retention in a feeding facility according to the genetic predisposition of individual livestock animals to deposit fat, and then feeding the animals in each group substantially uniformly. Such genetic predisposition is determined by determining homozygosity or heterozygosity of each animal with respect to alleles of a gene encoding an adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, which gene is hereinafter referred to as ob, segregating such animals into groups based on genotype and optionally phenotype, feeding and otherwise maintaining animals in a group together and apart from other groups of animals, and ceasing to feed the animals in the group at a time when the median body fat condition of the animals of that group is a desired body fat condition.

Abstract: A composition that contains a gamete or an embryo and animal white yolk is disclosed. Also disclosed are applications of the composition.

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: The present invention provides the method for the production of the egg containing anti-pathogenic bacteria specific antibodies (IgY) preventing gastritis, diarrhea, and food poisoning by immunizing young hens with antigen proteins of E. coli causing enteritis, Helicobacter pylori causing gastritis, and Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium, causing food poisoning, simultaneously. This invention also relates to composition containing the specific IgY antibodies described above and the foodstuff such as the yogurt and ice cream containing the anti-pathogenic IgY.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the reproductive performance of poultry is provided.

Abstract: Transgenes encoding exogenous proteins are stably integrated into embryonic stem cells and are present in the somatic tissue of transgenic or chimeric birds. The transgenes encode exogenous proteins and are expressed in any of endodermal, ectodermal, mesodermal, or extra embryonic tissue. Tissue specificity is provided by selecting the content of the transgene accordingly. Transgenic birds whose genome is comprised of trangene derived exogenous DNA express exogenous proteins with tissue specificity, and specifically express exogenous proteins in the tubular gland cells of the oviduct to concentrate exogenous proteins in egg white..

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of injecting an avian egg containing an embryo, preferably an early embryo (e.g., a blastoderm). The methods of the invention may be used to deliver a substance to an egg, remove a sample from an egg, and/or to insert a detector device into an egg to collect information therefrom. In preferred embodiments, the invention is used to deliver a substance to the embryo in ovo. In other preferred embodiments, the invention is used to produce chimeric or transgenic avian embryos in ovo.

Abstract: A method of altering the phenotype of a bird comprises introducing a DNA sequence into somatic cells of a bird contained within an egg during in ovo incubation. The DNA sequence is selected to be effective to cause a change in phenotype, such as an increase in growth rate, feed efficiency, or both in the bird after hatch. A DNA sequence may further be selected to increase disease resistance or induce disease prevention by the expression of an antigen over a period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids comprising an avian nucleic acid sequence encoding a lysozyme gene expression control region. The isolated nucleic acid of the present invention is useful for reducing the chromosomal positional effect of a transgene operably linked to the lysozyme gene expression control region and transfected into a recipient cell and allows expression of an operably linked heterologous nucleic acid insert in a transfected avian cell such as, for example, an oviduct cell. The isolated avian lysozyme of the present invention may be operably linked with a selected nucleic acid insert encoding a polypeptide desired to be expressed in a transfected cell. The recombinant DNA of the present invention may further comprise a polyadenylation signal sequence or a chicken lysozyme 3′ domain.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the stable introduction of heterologous coding sequences into the genome of a bird and expressing the coding sequences to produce desired proteins or to alter the phenotype of the bird. The present invention provides preferred methods for introducing a transgene into the cytoplasm of avian embryonic cells by cytoplasmic microinjection. The embryo then develops into a transgenic adult capable of expressing a heterologous protein and/or capable of generating a line of transgenic birds through breeding. Synthetic vectors and gene promoters useful in the methods are also provided by the present invention, as are transgenic birds that express heterologous protein and avian eggs containing heterologous protein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for in vivo generation of a linear polynucleotide with 5′ and 3′ free ends from a vector having no free end, said linear polynucleotide being integrated into the host cell genome. The vector having no free end according to the present invention comprise the polynucleotide to be linearized or excised flanked by a cleavage site, said cleavage site being preferably not found in the host cell genome. The present invention also relates to the resulting cells and their uses, for example for production of proteins or other genes, biomolecules, biomaterials, transgenic plants, vaccines, transgenic animals or for treatment or prophylaxis of a condition or disorder in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the clonal propagation of primate offspring by embryo splitting. Here, genetically identical nonhuman embryos may be produced as twin and larger sets by separation and reaggregation of blastomeres of cleavage-stage embryos. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to methods for producing embryonic stem cells and transgenic embryonic stem cells isolated from dissociated blastomeres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing transgenic animals, particularly transgenic birds and fish, using retroviral constructs engineered to carry the transgene(s) of interest.

Abstract: A method of determining the gender of a bird in ovo comprises detecting the presence or absence of an elevated level of a sex-related hormone in the extra-embryonic fluid of the bird egg, and then determining the gender of the bird within the egg from the presence of an elevated level of a sex-related hormone therein. Preferably, the sex-related hormone is an estrogen. Further preferred are methods in which the extra-embryonic fluid is allantoic fluid. The method is preferably carried out on chicken eggs prior to or during transfer of the eggs from incubator to hatcher.

Abstract: A method for increasing the percentage of mammalian offspring of either sex which comprises contacting a semen sample with an antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex and separating said spermatozoa from spermatozoa determinative of the other sex, said antibody being bound to a non-porous magnetic bead support having a diameter of 0.1 to 2 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the hatchability of eggs and a composition used for the method. The present invention provides the method comprising administrating an amino acid solution into hatching eggs and a composition for improving the hatchability of eggs which contains an amino acid as an effective ingredient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incubating a poultry egg by placing the egg in a random orientation into an opening of substantially elliptical configuration provided in an egg support, placing the egg support into a receiving tray provided with an elevation facing the opening such that the egg engages the protrusion, reciprocally moving the egg support relative to the tray thereby to impart to the egg an optimum incubating orientation, subjecting the egg to incubation while maintaining the orientation and rotating the egg about its major axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat caused by living embryos within an insulated hatchery enclosure. The apparatus comprises an enclosed chamber bounded by two pairs of opposing side walls and opposing first and second end walls spanning the insulated hatchery enclosure. The first end wall has a heat conductive portion, such as a copper plate, adapted to conduct heat between an outer surface of the end wall facing an interior of the insulated enclosure and an inner surface of the end wall adjacent the enclosed chamber. A plurality of baffles within the chamber define a serpentine path within the chamber through which air is directed from a start position along the path to an end position. A fresh air inlet coupled to the start position communicates fresh air taken from outside the insulated enclosure into the chamber and then through the serpentine path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for controlling microorganisms on a surface in a hatchery. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for controlling microorganisms on the surface of eggs. The present invention is further directed to a method for reducing the level of pathogen infection in a poultry flock.

Abstract: A method of hatching eggs of avian species, especially chickens, which comprises carrying out at least one cycle of steps (a) and (c) as follows: (a) incubating the eggs in a first, baseline ambient environment which is normal for hatchery incubation of the eggs of the avian species in the prevailing climatic conditions and then during a sex-sensitive time window of embryonic development, (b) altering the ambient environment to shifted conditions for a period of time effective to bias the normal phenotypic sex ratio of the embryos, without significant adverse effect on the average mortality rate, and (c) thereafter restoring the incubation conditions to or towards normal and allowing the eggs to hatch. Preferably the ambient environment comprises a temperature of 37.5.degree.-38.degree. C. and the shifted conditions comprise reduced temperature, especially a temperature maintained at about 22.degree. C. for a period of from 18 to 42 hours.

Abstract: A poultry egg incubation method and an apparatus for carrying out the method. Eggs are initially placed in openings of substantially egg-shaped contour provided in an egg support which is thereafter placed in a hatching bin with the eggs out of contact with the bin. The bin is then placed in an incubation container or cart. For purposes of incubation the support is lowered to place the eggs in point contact with the bin so that relative movement between bin and support causes rotation of the eggs without disturbing their position within the bin. Controlled humidifying and ventilating equipment is provided for providing stable climatic conditions.