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

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

The present invention is directed to methods for fertility prediction in animals, and in particular dairy cows. The methods allow detection of the likelihood of conception upon insemination of a cow based on the analysis of properties of milk of the cow, and in particular the mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum of the milk. Such methods also enable selection of cows for insemination and fertility classification of cows. Software and systems for carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided. The present invention also provides methods for deriving reference MIR spectra representative cows with good or poor likelihoods of conception upon insemination. These reference MIR spectra can be used for fertility prediction in cows to be tested.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

Methods for improving the functionality and/or fertility of sperm, for example, by enhancing motility and/or extending the lifespan of sperm by subjecting the isolated sperm to a starvation protocol and/or ionophore are provided. Such methods may be used in, for example, artificial insemination to reduce the number of sperm needed for insemination and to improve conception rates.

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.

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

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

A buffer for the capacitation of spermatozoa consisting of a buffer solution comprising the active ingredient Astaxanthin, in combination with serum albumin and a phosphate buffer solution made up of monobasic potassium phosphate KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 buffered with dibasic potassium phosphate K.sub.2HPO.sub.4.

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.