Provided are a diluent and a sperm preservation method using the diluent. The diluent is useful in preservation of sperm with high fertility, and is capable of stably achieving quality control and improving quality of the sperm. Refrigerating or freezing sperm using the diluent for sperm, which includes an aqueous solution containing at least one oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of a fructo-oligosaccharide, an isomalto-oligosaccharide, a gentio-oligosaccharide, and a galacto-oligosaccharide, can improve the quality of preserved sperm and provide sperm having high fertility, at a reduced cost.

The invention relates to a method for increasing the lifespan of animal sperm comprising contacting said sperm with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel.

The invention also relates to a use of an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel, for increasing the lifespan of animal sperm or motility of capacitated animal sperm, comprising contacting an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel with said sperm. Moreover, the invention relates to an artificial insemination instrument for use in artificial insemination of an animal, comprising animal sperm in contact with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel.

The invention also relates to a method for artificially inseminating an animal using said artificial insemination instrument.

Eventually, the invention relates to a method for increasing the fertility of an animal, comprising contacting sperm of said animal with an inhibitor of Slo3 potassium channel; then artificially inseminating said animal with said sperm.

The present invention aims to provide a device for cryopreservation providing excellent working efficiency in operations for freezing and thawing cells or tissues. Provided is a device for cryopreservation off a cell or tissue including at least: a body including a strip-shaped tip; and a cap covering the tip of the body, the tip including at least a deposition part comprising a preservation solution absorber, the tip having a length in a minor axis direction of not shorter than 70% of an inner diameter of the cap, the cap including an inner cavity having a length in a major axis direction of not longer than 200% of a length in a major axis direction of the tip.

A device for preserving a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, notably animal semen or a preservation medium containing embryos or tissue samples, comprises a tube (11) made of a weldable plastics material. The tube allows a service state in which a receiving portion (21) intended to contain the said predetermined dose has a circular cross-section whereas a sealing portion (22) comprises a welded pinch (19) and a transition zone (23). Over at least part of the sealing portion a differentiating edge region (28) gives the external surface of the tube a visual appearance different from the visual appearance of the external surface of the tube outside of the differentiating edge region. A range comprises such a device and a similar device but without the differentiating edge region.

The invention provides serialized artificial insemination straws, as well as systems and methods for authentication of the serialized artificial insemination straws.

The present invention relates to a kit suitable for preparing a sustained release composition, in particular for preparing a sustained release composition comprising spermatozoa embedded within an alginate matrix.

A sealable container for preservation of a biological sample is provided. The container includes a cap comprising a proximal open and a lumen and an elongate body that extends from a handle portion to a specimen portion. A closure portion is disposed between the handle portion and the specimen portion, wherein the closure portion is configured to make surface to surface contact with the cap when the specimen portion is fully inserted within the lumen. The closure portion comprises an outer diameter that gradually decreases in a direction from the handle portion to the specimen portion. The specimen portion comprises a scooped portion where a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is less than distances between the upper surface and the lower surface along remaining portions of the specimen portion, wherein the scooped portion is spaced proximally from a distal tip of the specimen portion.

An apparatus for collecting seminal fluids, and specifically an artificial cervix for collecting seminal fluids for artificial insemination, is provided herein. The cervix comprises an elongated cylindrical member having either a closed end for receiving and storing ejaculated semen or an open end for allowing ejaculate to pass through, and an open end having a rim of a diameter sufficient to receive the penis of the animal. A handle can be detachably connected to the cylindrical member that allows users to hold the cervix in the correct position during collection of the animal's seminal fluids.

The straw comprises a tube (11) and a stopper (12) fixed relative to the tube (11) and comprising a male connector tip (29) configured in order that a syringe needle (44) having a female connector tip (45) with a frusto-conical internal surface in accordance with a standard can be connected to said stopper (12) by engagement of the female connector tip (45) of the needle on the male connector tip (29) of the stopper (12). The injection device comprises such a straw (10) and a syringe needle (44). The method of emptying the straw comprises the step of pushing the dose of liquid-based substance (21) packaged in the straw (10) towards the stopper (12).

The disclosure relates to Bovine germplasm of Bos taurus variety JE840003146074527. Included in the present disclosure are cells comprising the Bovine variety JE840003146074527. Also provided by the present disclosure are tissue cultures of cells, animals obtained from said cells, and parts thereof, including F1 spermatozoa. The disclosure further provides for methods of breeding, selecting, and using the germplasm to improve existing commercial cattle herds generated from in vitro fertilization methods and progeny cattle obtained from in vitro fertilization and implantation and artificial insemination methods.