Methods and compositions directed to altering a population of sRNAs in a sperm using vesicles isolated from an epididymosome are provided. Methods and compositions directed to altering a population of sRNAs in an oocyte using vesicles isolated from an epididymosome are also provided. Methods for altering an sRNA population in a sperm or an oocyte can be used to prevent, or reduce the severity of, a disease, disorder, or condition that would otherwise be inherited by progeny. For example, certain epigenetic inherited conditions due to paternal effects, such as certain metabolic and stress disorders and conditions, can be ameliorated in progeny using sperm or oocytes having an altered sRNA population.

Stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) for treatment of several neurological, muscular and infertility diseases and conditions is provided. In particular, the stabilized ACC may be used in the treatment of axonal defects and muscular dystrophy. In addition, provided are improved methods used in assistant reproductive technology. Examples of such methods are in vitro fertilization and improvement of sperm quality. The improved IVF method, for example, comprises addition of the stabilized ACC to the cell culture medium in which the stages of fertilization and embryo development occurs.

Maintenance of adult tissues depends on stem cell self-renewal in local niches. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are germline adult stem cells necessary for spermatogenesis and fertility. The present invention relates utilization of testicular endothelial cells (TECs) in the SSC niche producing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and other factors to support human and mammal SSCs in long-term culture. The present invention also relates to utilization of five factors sufficient for long-term maintenance of human and mammal SSC colonies in feeder-free cultures. Male cancer survivors after chemotherapy are often infertile since SSCs are highly susceptible to cytotoxic injury. Transplantation of TECs alone is used to restore spermatogenesis in mice after chemotherapy-induced depletion of SSCs.

Artificial cervical fluid is disclosed that contains a mucilaginous extract from the okra plant. The mucilaginous extract can be produced using a hot aqueous extractant or cold extraction process followed by separation of larger particles from the extract. The extract finds many uses, for example as a sperm storage medium, a sperm freezing medium, a sexual lubricant, an artificial insemination medium, and an in vitro fertilization medium.

A purified antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, is provided that binds selectively to a protein specific to an X-chromosome of a mammalian sperm cell. The sperm cell protein includes an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 4 and 9-16. The antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof may be derived by immunization of a host by an antigenic peptide composition including one or more natural or synthetic antigenic peptide sequences set forth as SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and SEQ ID NOs: 4 and 9-16. The antibody finds utility in identifying an X-chromosome bearing sperm cell population, and in methods for skewing a sex ratio in mammals. Embodiments of the subject antibodies referred to herein as anti-GX1-E protein antibody and anti-GX1-M protein antibody have the ATCC Patent Deposit Designations PTA-125897 and PTA-125898, having been deposited on Apr. 2, 2019.

Disclosed herein are methods for the detection of the presence of sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample. The methods include embedding of sperm cells of the semen sample in a gel, denaturing DNA of the sperm cells, and lysing the nuclear proteins of the sperm cells. The present method includes an ionic surfactant sodium dodycyl sulfate (SDS) and a chaotropic agent urea in the lysis solution for releasing DNA from protamine of chromosome, which significantly reduces the time required for lysis. A kit for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample is also disclosed.

A first amount of sperm of a first animal and a second amount of sperm of a second animal of the same species, the first amount of sperm and the second amount of sperm sex-selected sperm of the same sex, useful in the in-vivo or in-vitro fertilization of an egg of a female animal of the same species of animal for the production of sex-selected embryos and sex-selected offspring.

Stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) for treatment of several neurological, muscular and infertility diseases and conditions is provided. In particular, the stabilized ACC may be used in the treatment of axonal defects and muscular dystrophy. In addition, provided are improved methods used in assistant reproductive technology. Examples of such methods are in vitro fertilization and improvement of sperm quality. The improved IVF method, for example, comprises addition of the stabilized ACC to the cell culture medium in which the stages of fertilization and embryo development occurs.

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.

Disclosed herein are methods for the detection of the presence of sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample. The methods include embedding of sperm cells of the semen sample in a gel, denaturing DNA of the sperm cells, and lysing the nuclear proteins of the sperm cells. The present method includes an ionic surfactant sodium dodycyl sulfate (SDS) and a chaotropic agent urea in the lysis solution for releasing DNA from protamine of chromosome, which significantly reduces the time required for lysis. A kit for detecting sperm DNA fragmentation in a semen sample is also disclosed.