The present invention is drawn to novel methods of selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers in order to improve reproductive efficiency and milk production of the mammals. The present invention encompasses three methods: (1) selecting from any group of mammals; (2) selecting from estrus-negative mammals; and (3) selecting from estrus-negative mammals and pooling the selected mammals with estrus-positive mammals. Also encompassed is a kit for selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers.

The present invention is drawn to novel methods of selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers in order to improve reproductive efficiency and milk production of the mammals. The present invention encompasses three methods: (1) selecting from any group of mammals; (2) selecting from estrus-negative mammals; and (3) selecting from estrus-negative mammals and pooling the selected mammals with estrus-positive mammals. Also encompassed is a kit for selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.

An instrument for fixedly transplanting a living body embryo into a uterus has an instrument, for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus, which is to be inserted into a uterus and a magnetic embryo accommodation container holding instrument (transferred embryo fixing instrument) to be attached to the living body. The instrument for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus has an embryo accommodation container having an embryo accommodation part having an embryo insertion portion communicating with outside and a magnetic material and a shaft-shaped container transfer tool for separably holding the embryo accommodation container at its distal end portion. The magnetic container holding instrument has an attaching part to be attached to an epidermis of the living body and a magnet capable of attracting the magnetic material of the embryo accommodation container thereto.

An instrument for fixedly transplanting a living body embryo into a uterus has an instrument, for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus, which is to be inserted into a uterus and a magnetic embryo accommodation container holding instrument (transferred embryo fixing instrument) to be attached to the living body. The instrument for transplanting the living body embryo into the uterus has an embryo accommodation container having an embryo accommodation part having an embryo insertion portion communicating with outside and a magnetic material and a shaft-shaped container transfer tool for separably holding the embryo accommodation container at its distal end portion. The magnetic container holding instrument has an attaching part to be attached to an epidermis of the living body and a magnet capable of attracting the magnetic material of the embryo accommodation container thereto.

The present invention relates to a method for vitrification and thawing of oocytes of animals for somatic cell cloning. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method for vitrification and thawing of canine oocytes, and to thus produced frozen-thawed oocytes. In a conventional approach of the vitrification-frozen oocyte production for the dog, an estrous cycle may not coincide with an experimental schedule. However, the method for vitrification and thawing of the canine oocyte according to the present disclosure and the resulting frozen-thawed oocyte allows an experimental schedule to coincide with the estrous cycle, resulting in high nuclear transfer and fertilization effects.

Disclosed is novel means that enables collection of embryos from the uterus of a living livestock animal, especially cattle, easily in a short time with the same accuracy as that achieved by a skilled technician. A livestock embryo collection apparatus of the present invention comprises: two syringes; a liquid transfer line for connecting a perfusate supply section-a syringe I-a balloon catheter-a syringe II-an embryo collection section; a liquid transfer direction control section for controlling the direction of transfer of a perfusate in the liquid transfer line; and a syringe pump control section for controlling pump operation of the two syringes. By this apparatus, injection and removal of the perfusate can be quickly carried out by simultaneous operation of the two syringes by the syringe pump control section and the liquid transfer direction control section that work in a coordinated manner, so that the working time for collection of embryos can be largely reduced, and so that embryos in the uterus of a living animal can be collected easily, quickly, and with the same accuracy as that achieved by a skilled technician.

Disclosed is novel means that enables collection of embryos from the uterus of a living livestock animal, especially cattle, easily in a short time with the same accuracy as that achieved by a skilled technician. A livestock embryo collection apparatus of the present invention comprises: two syringes; a liquid transfer line for connecting a perfusate supply section-a syringe I-a balloon catheter-a syringe II-an embryo collection section; a liquid transfer direction control section for controlling the direction of transfer of a perfusate in the liquid transfer line; and a syringe pump control section for controlling pump operation of the two syringes. By this apparatus, injection and removal of the perfusate can be quickly carried out by simultaneous operation of the two syringes by the syringe pump control section and the liquid transfer direction control section that work in a coordinated manner, so that the working time for collection of embryos can be largely reduced, and so that embryos in the uterus of a living animal can be collected easily, quickly, and with the same accuracy as that achieved by a skilled technician.

A method of in vitro fertilization wherein the embryo is implanted into the uterus of a female patient at least two, and preferably three to twelve months after the eggs are retrieved from the patient in order to reduce the effect of autoimmune rejection of the embryo by the patient's autoimmune system and increase the probability and success of pregnancy and wherein prior to embryo implantation, the endometrium in the uterus is prepared for embryo implantation by introducing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the uterus. The procedure is combined with cryopreservation techniques to preserve the oocytes or the IVF-produced embryos of the patient.

A method of in vitro fertilization wherein the embryo is implanted into the uterus of a female patient at least two, and preferably three to twelve months after the eggs are retrieved from the patient in order to reduce the effect of autoimmune rejection of the embryo by the patient's autoimmune system and increase the probability and success of pregnancy and wherein prior to embryo implantation, the endometrium in the uterus is prepared for embryo implantation by introducing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the uterus. The procedure is combined with cryopreservation techniques to preserve the oocytes or the IVF-produced embryos of the patient.