Methods are disclosed for generating HLA homozygous parthenogenetic human stem cell (hpSC-Hhom) lines from both HLA homozygous and HLA heterozygous donors. These hpSC-Hhom lines demonstrate typical human embryonic stem cell morphology, expressing appropriate stem cell markers and possessing high levels of alkaline phosphatase and telomerase activity. Additionally, injection of these cell lines into immunodeficient animals leads to teratoma formation. Furthermore, in the case of HLA heterozygous donors, the hpSC-Hhom lines inherit the haplotype from only one of the donor's parents. SNP data analysis suggests that hpSC-Hhom lines derived from HLA heterozygous oocyte donors are homozygous throughout the genome as assessed by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The protocol as disclosed minimizes the use of animal-derived components, which makes the stem cells more practical for clinical application.

Methods and compositions are provided for promoting germ cell differentiation from pluripotent cells, and for identifying agents that modulate germ cell differentiation.

The present invention provides methods for making reconstructed diploid human oocytes comprising the diploid genome of a human somatic cell, and also methods for making human nuclear transfer embryos, human embryonic stem cells, and human differentiated cells therefrom. The present invention also provides reconstructed human oocytes, human nuclear transfer embryos, human embryonic stem cells, and differentiated cells made using such methods, as well as compositions and kits useful in performing such methods.

A highly effective technique for fertilizing an oocyte with a sperm cell to produce a zygote can be carried out in a bioreactor and the zygote can optionally be cultured in the bioreactor into a blastocyst stage embryo for implantation into the uterus of a female recipient. The success rate and probability of fertilization is enhanced by operating the bioreactor reactor under conditions of inter-galactic motion which increases the probability of the sperm coming in close proximity to and fertilizing the oocyte. This method involves the steps of collecting an oocyte from a female donor, collecting sperm from a male donor, fertilizing the oocyte with the sperm in a rotating bioreactor to produce a zygote, culturing the zygote into a blastocyst stage embryo, and implanting the blastocyst stage embryo into a uterus of a recipient female.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a recombinant protein in a cell culture medium. comprising culturing mammalian cells expressing the protein of interest in a production medium at suitable conditions: and supplementing the production medium with feed components in such quantity that the residual carbon to nitrogen ratio is controlled. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a recombinant protein in a cell culture medium, wherein recombinant protein of interest has increased acidic variants and/or acidic variants and reduced basic variants.

The present invention relates to an ovarian-derived hydrogel material, which can be useful for three-dimensional in vitro culturing of cells, cell therapy, fertility preservation, drug delivery, site-specific remodeling and repair of damaged tissue, and/or diagnostic kits.

A method of treating or preventing gonadal or uterine toxicity induced by an agent in a subject is provided. Accordingly there is provided a method comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), thereby treating or preventing the gonadal toxicity induced by the agent. Also provided is, a method comprising determining gonadal function in a subject; and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of PEDF, thereby treating or preventing the gonadal toxicity induced by the agent. Also provided is a PEDF for use in the treatment or prevention of gonadal toxicity induced by an agent in a subject. Also provided are cell culture, a medium, a kit and method for improving oocyte quality ex-vivo.

An electric ooycte denuding device and an ooycte denuding method are provided. The electric oocyte denuding device includes an oocyte denuding pipette: a manipulating handle; and a drive module, a control module, a display module, a power module, a memory, a bulb, and/or a voice module, and/or a pressure sensor, and/or a control box, and/or a foot-operated switch controller, which form an integrated type or a seperated type electric ooycte denuding device. A stepper motor provides the power for blowing and sucking to denude the granular cells surrounding an oocyte.

The present invention relates to improved assisted reproductive technology using highly purified menotropin (HP-hMG) to stimulate follicle development in controlled ovarian stimulation, particularly in women at risk of a high ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation.

Non-human animals and offspring thereof comprising at least one modified chromosomal sequence in a gene encoding a CD163 protein are provided. Animal cells that contain such modified chromosomal sequences are also provided. The animals and cells have increased resistance to pathogens, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The animals and offspring have chromosomal modifications of a CD163 gene. The invention further relates to methods of breeding to create pathogen-resistant animals and populations of animals made using such methods.