Disclosed is an approach to differentiating between different particle types in samples flowing through microfluidics chips. A sample may have an initial proportion of a first cell type to a second cell type. An illuminating light source may emit a coherent light at the sample, and light leaving the chip in a first direction may be detected using a first light detector, and light leaving the chip in a second direction (e.g., orthogonal to the first direction) may be detected using a second light detector. The detected light may be fluorescence. An orientational feature of a plurality of cells in the sample may be determined based on the light detected by the detectors. Based on the orientational features and the detected light, a biasing operation may be performed for each cell in the sample to obtain a modified proportion of cell types in the sample.

An apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, includes a vessel (1) having a reservoir (2) wherein the vessel has a channel (3) formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction (4) dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions.

The present invention relates to methods of and compositions comprising cytokines for, improving the success rate of embryo implantation and the success rate of pregnancy rates in females, by providing an immunopermissive uterine environment prior to insemination or implantation of embryos. The methods of the present invention are used to make the uterus more receptive or less hostile to, for example, transferred embryos, sperm or other allografted tissue.

Intravaginal culture (IVC) container for intravaginal fertilization and culture of mammalian, and in particular human, oocytes, featuring an increased volume, and a method of using the same.

The present artificial insemination instrument may include a single use, hollow, elongate, metal pipette and a single disposable syringe that is not toxic to bovine sperm. The apparatus is used with any type of diluent that is not toxic to bovine sperm. In various embodiments, a technician may use non-sorted reduced sperm count semen straws from a bull stud, cut an unsorted semen straw into several pieces to use one piece at a time per cow, thaw one straw and mix the non-sorted semen with diluent, or use reduced sperm count semen straws filled with sex sorted semen by the manufacturer. A procedure is disclosed to use the artificial in semination instrument, reduced sperm count semen from any of the aforementioned sources, a non-toxic syringe, and a diluent to achieve conception rates at least as good as conventional prior art device and procedure conception rates.

An improved method, apparatus and kit for artificially inseminating a female bovine including a bellows-like container having an opening associated therewith for receiving a solution therewithin, a nozzle member having one end portion engageable with the opening associated with the bellows-like container, a hollow metal pipette having a closed terminal end portion for insertion into the reproductive organs of a female bovine, and a flexible tube member having one end portion engageable with the terminal end portion of the nozzle member and having its opposite end portion engageable with the proximal end portion of the metal pipette. The flexible tubing connecting the nozzle member with the metal pipette allows the bellows-like container to be elevated to a substantially vertical position prior to evacuating the semen/diluent solution from the bellows-like container through the present apparatus to the reproductive organs of a female bovine during the insemination process.

Apparatus (20) is provided for use with a fluid that contains biological cells. The apparatus (20) includes a tray (22) shaped to define (a) a flat upper surface (24) configured to support the fluid, the upper surface (24) not being completely surrounded by a wall and having a surface area that is less than 900 mm2, and (b) an underside (26). The apparatus (20) further includes a plurality of protrusions (30) protruding from the underside (26) of the tray (22). The tray (22) has a thickness between 0.4 and 0.8 mm, and a property selected from the group consisting of: transparency, and translucency. Other embodiments are also described.

The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

Designs of improved canisters for animal semen straw storage in Dewars with cryogenic liquid are described. In some embodiments, the canisters include a layer of cryogen-absorbent material and an inner layer of thermally conductive material including apertures oriented and positioned to direct cryogen vapor into the interior of the container.

The device (1) comprises an inlet element (28) comprising an interface (40) for connecting to an artificial vagina and delimiting an inlet opening (14), a filter associated with the inlet element (28) and delimiting therewith an inlet chamber (41) on the side of a first face of the filter turned towards the opening (14) and a collection bag (4) extending between a closed end (8) and an end (7) having an opening (6) in which said inlet element is engaged; said bag and said filter delimiting a collection chamber (42) on the side of the second face (18) of the filter turned towards the end (8); by means of which semen entering through the opening (14) passes through the filter and is collected in the collection chamber (42); characterized in that the filter is formed by a perforated wall (30) in one piece with the inlet element.