Systems for selecting, generating, and breeding hybrid dairy cattle are described, as are methods for maintaining herds of hybrid cattle.

A method for cryopreservation of biological material where a sample of a biological material is inserted into a packaging having two substantially parallel walls spaced from 2.5 mm apart or less, the walls connected to each other along a substantially part of their periphery and including a plurality of internal ridges for directing the flow of material through the packaging. After the material is evenly distributed in the package, the material is frozen for cryopreservation of biological material.

Device for vaginal access to the uterus of a livestock animal for transfer of material or collecting samples, includes a body integrally connected to gripping element, a first passage extending through the device and opening out at two ends in order to establish an access route between the inside and the outside of the animal, the body being straight and rigid in order to permit introduction into the vagina, and a cup being provided at its distal end, a projection extending from the bottom of the cup and having a through-hole in communication with the first passage, the cup having an orifice in communication with a second passage extending through the body and connected to suction element, to place the cup flat against the fornix of the neck of the uterus, with viewing element likewise being provided in order to permit viewing at the front of the cup.

The straw comprises a tube (11) and a gas-permeable liquid-tight stopper (12), which stopper is disposed in the tube in the neighborhood of one end (16), which tube and which stopper are configured for the stopper to be able to slide in the tube towards the other end (17), said tube being transparent or translucent, said stopper comprising an identifier component (13) configured to emit, when it is illuminated with ultraviolet light, light of which the spectrum comprises at least one peak having a crest of predetermined wavelength in visible light, whereas when it is illuminated by visible light said identifier component does not emit said light of which the spectrum comprises said peak.

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.

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 concerns a system for collecting animal semen, comprising a container (3) configured to be mounted on an end (9) of an artificial vagina (2), having an internal space (15) configured to receive said semen and configured to comprise a first dilution extender (5) before receiving said semen, and said system (1) comprises a collecting device (4) configured to be at least partially inserted into said container and to be fastened to said vagina, and being interposed between said vagina and said container, said collecting device comprising a flow channel (23) for said semen extending within said internal space of said container and a discharge aperture (26) for said semen open to said internal space; and said system is configured to prevent, at least for the most part, said first dilution extender from passing in said flow channel of said collecting device.

Novel benzamide derivatives of formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein W.sup.1, W.sup.2, R.sup.1 to R.sup.10 and X have the meaning according to the claims, are positive allosteric modulators of the FSH receptor, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of fertility disorders.

The present invention provides an artificial insemination apparatus and methods for use with livestock that maintains the sterility of the semen until it is deposited at an optimum location in the reproductive tract of the animal without the maneuvering or tissue injury problems associated with prior art devices. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a uniquely shaped opening that is provided at the tip of a sheath that is used with an artificial insemination gun, and a movable or deformable plug or diaphragm that fits into and covers this opening. The plug or diaphragm has a rounded (convex) exterior surface, and may be made of a rigid or rubberized material that completely covers the opening at the tip of the sheath, and seals it closed in a smooth, flush engagement to prevent contaminants from collecting upon the tip, or entering into the sheath during the trip through the reproductive tract of the animal. Once the sheath is properly placed in the reproductive tract, application of fluid pressure to the semen inside the sheath causes the plug to move or deform without becoming detached from the sheath, thereby allowing semen inside the sheath to exit. In alternative embodiments, the unique tip with its opening and corresponding plug may be provided in a separate cap that is installed at the end of an insemination sheath.

The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency identification system for a cryogenic straw comprising: at least one integrated circuit configured to store information and generate a radio-frequency signal in a frequency range of between 30 MHz and 3 GHz; and at least one antenna comprising a conductive thread configured to be integrated, such as molded, into a sidewall of the cryogenic straw. The disclosure further relates to a cryogenic straw comprising at least one antenna, the antenna comprising a conductive thread or rod, wherein the at least one antenna is integrated, such as molded, into a sidewall of the cryogenic straw.