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.

Artificial vaginas are disclosed that include an elongate housing, a liner within the elongate housing that is attached to the elongate housing, and a pressurized air tank arranged to bring the artificial vagina to an appropriate pressure. Such artificial vaginas may be brought to an operation temperature for the collection of semen by an air infuser that may contain a blower, a heating element and a shaft having a plurality of apertures through which heated air may flow.

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.

The appliance comprises a handle, a speculum tube (23) extending axially from the handle (21) as far as a distal end (22) where it has an opening (28), a video viewing system having a lens (35) arranged in the speculum tube and a transmission device (36) connected to the lens and connectable to a remote viewing screen, and a lens support (49) for keeping the lens (35) in a predetermined position with respect to the speculum tube, in which position the lens is near said opening (28) and opposite the space situated beyond said opening (28), characterized in that said speculum tube has an end part (26) and a main part (27) extending between said end part and said handle, said end part (26) being arranged around said support (49) and delimiting said opening (28), said end part (26) being elastically deformable and said main part (27) being rigid.

A sperm injection tube for artificial insemination of swine has a tube and a plug mounted on an end of the tube. The plug has a plug body, a guiding portion, and a blocking portion. The guiding portion is formed around the plug body and has multiple guiding fins near the injection hole. The blocking portion is formed around the plug body and has at least one blocking fin near the connecting hole. Each guiding fin is umbrella-shaped and flexible. When inserting the sperm injection tube into the uterus, the guiding fins are concentrated toward the plug body to led the plug to easily pass through the cervix. The blocking portion block the cervix to prevent the semen flowing out and to keep the tube from being pushed out to raise the conception rate of the sow.

In accord with the present invention, the fertility quality of an ejaculate can be determined by assaying sperm, in aliquots of the ejaculate or of an ejaculate produced previously by the same male, at intervals over a period of time. Fertility quality is determined by the number of times the level of expression of a marker on the sperm goes through a maximum level of expression during the period of time and if desired by sperm state and fertilization procedure used. The marker should be capable of correlation with the level of Fc receptor (FcR) expression on the sperm. The fertility quality of the ejaculate is related to the number of times a maximum level of expression is reached.

In accord with the present invention, the fertility quality of an ejaculate can be determined by assaying sperm, in aliquots of the ejaculate or of an ejaculate produced previously by the same male, at intervals over a period of time. Fertility quality is determined by the number of times the level of expression of a marker on the sperm goes through a maximum level of expression during the period of time and if desired by sperm state and fertilization procedure used. The marker should be capable of correlation with the level of Fc receptor (FcR) expression on the sperm. The fertility quality of the ejaculate is related to the number of times a maximum level of expression is reached.

A method for synchronizing ovulation in sows and gilts by a single injection of hormones is disclosed. A hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), analogues, derivatives, agonists or combinations thereof is administered to an open sow post weaning at a specific time to stimulate ovulation of mature responsive follicles. The sow is then bred, without heat detection, at a specific subsequent timed interval after injection with hormone, with one or two artificial or natural breedings. In gilts, the hormone is injected at a timed interval from onset of estrus or at a specific timed interval following Prostaglandin F2a for those gilts which have been held in a state of pseudopregnancy.

A method for synchronizing ovulation in sows and gilts by a single injection of hormones is disclosed. A hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), analogues, derivatives, agonists or combinations thereof is administered to an open sow post weaning at a specific time to stimulate ovulation of mature responsive follicles. The sow is then bred, without heat detection, at a specific subsequent timed interval after injection with hormone, with one or two artificial or natural breedings. In gilts, the hormone is injected at a timed interval from onset of estrus or at a specific timed interval following Prostaglandin F2a for those gilts which have been held in a state of pseudopregnancy.

A microchip includes a first chamber and second chamber formed to a predetermined depth in a member made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS); and a channel (microchannel) connecting the first chamber to the second chamber. These components mimic in vivo organs which produce by selecting capacitated motile sperm from semen and causing the selected sperm to meet mature oocyte, and these components are capable of effectively producing motile capacitated good-quality sperms from sperms ejaculated outside the body.