The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I), stereoisomers, and physiologically tolerable salts thereof, to enhance the motility of sperm obtained from a non-human mammal: wherein in formula I: X is —NR′— (in which R′ is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, e,g, —CH.sub.3), —O—, —S— or —CH.sub.2—; Y is —S—, —O—, —NR″— (in which R″ is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, e.g. —CH.sub.3), or —CH.sub.2—; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are independently selected from N and CH; R1 to R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —OH, —CN, —NO.sub.2 and -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.4 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, or —OH; R.sup.5 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —OH, —CN, —NO.sub.2 and -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.8 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —CN, —NO.sub.2 or -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.9 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.10 and R.sup.1.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-3 alkyl; or R.sup.10 and R.sup.1.sup.1, together with the intervening —O—and ring atoms, are joined to form a dioxolane ring; and R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are independently selected from H and C.sub.1-3 alkyl. The compounds find particular use in animal husbandry to increase the rate of fertilization in artificial insemination of livestock, especially pigs. They can also be used to prepare, pre-treat or store semen for use in artificial insemination procedures.

The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I), stereoisomers, and physiologically tolerable salts thereof, to enhance the motility of sperm obtained from a non-human mammal: wherein in formula I: X is —NR′— (in which R′ is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, e,g, —CH.sub.3), —O—, —S— or —CH.sub.2—; Y is —S—, —O—, —NR″— (in which R″ is H or C.sub.1-3 alkyl, e.g. —CH.sub.3), or —CH.sub.2—; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are independently selected from N and CH; R1 to R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —OH, —CN, —NO.sub.2 and -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.4 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, or —OH; R.sup.5 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —OH, —CN, —NO.sub.2 and -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.8 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl, —CN, —NO.sub.2 or -NR.sup.12R.sup.13; R.sup.9 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.10 and R.sup.1.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1-3 alkyl; or R.sup.10 and R.sup.1.sup.1, together with the intervening —O—and ring atoms, are joined to form a dioxolane ring; and R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are independently selected from H and C.sub.1-3 alkyl. The compounds find particular use in animal husbandry to increase the rate of fertilization in artificial insemination of livestock, especially pigs. They can also be used to prepare, pre-treat or store semen for use in artificial insemination procedures.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising low sugar media, the methods of using these compositions to reduce trauma and stress on processed animal sperm, the resulting sperm and embryo products, and the methods of use of these products to increase the quality, quantity and viability of progeny and improved rates of births in animals.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising low sugar media, the methods of using these compositions to reduce trauma and stress on processed animal sperm, the resulting sperm and embryo products, and the methods of use of these products to increase the quality, quantity and viability of progeny and improved rates of births in animals.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide effective processing of materials through phase transitions with a mobile phase transition device which may have a frozen storage area and a thawing area and which can be used to thaw biological materials near a recipient of the materials. A mobile phase transition device may be automated so that the thawing of materials can precisely follow thawing protocols.

A device for artificial insemination, gynaecological examination of the vagina and the cervix, intra-uterine treatments and uterine sample collection in livestock. The device includes: a guiding sleeve having a proximal end for being positioned in the reproductive system of the animal and a distal end for being handled by the user; a gynaecological instrument, such as an insemination gun, an insemination or treatment catheter, or a sample-collection swab, slidingly housed in the guiding sleeve, the instrument being capable of being operated by the user at the rear end thereof, located on the side of the distal end of the guiding sleeve, in order for the front end thereof to lead through an opening located at the proximal end of the guiding sleeve so as to allow the insemination, treatment or sample collection. The guiding sleeve has a blocking element for blocking the sliding of the instrument inside the guiding sleeve.

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 relates in general to the improved containment of biological fluids. In particular, a method and apparatus for collection and preservation of fluid samples in accordance with the present invention results in collection of semen having improved viability both at the time of collection and after storage. The disclosed methods and apparatuses methods support a wide variety of applications for containment of biological fluids related to human and veterinary medicine including, but not limited to, human reproductive medicine and animal husbandry.