A serum-free culture medium for in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes includes a Hepes-free M199 basal medium, fatty acid-free BSA, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), 17β-estradiol, epidermal growth factor (EGF), L-cysteine, bFGF, Glutamax (100×), folic acid, cholic acid and CXCL12. A method of culturing bovine oocytes using such serum-free culture medium is provided.

The present invention provides modified oocytes having a nuclear genome derived from a first oocyte and cytoplasm derived from a second oocyte from a different subject, and methods for making and using such modified oocytes. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, in in vitro fertilization (“IVF”) procedures.

The present invention relates to amino acid salts of nicotinic acid ribosides and compositions thereof of Formula I, useful in the treatment of disorders and diseases associated with deficiencies in NAD.sup.+:

##STR00001## wherein M.sup.1, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as described herein.

Described herein are polymorphisms, and in particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with late onset of sexual maturation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In particular, provided are methods for predicting late onset of sexual maturation in rainbow trout, methods for selecting a rainbow trout having late onset of sexual maturation and kit suitable for carrying out said methods. Further provided are rainbow trout cells, sperm and unfertilized eggs carrying at least one allele conferring late onset of sexual maturation in their genome.

An improved cryopreservation process and substances can involve a cellular collection (1) in a cryopreservation fluid (4) that has been conditioned or treated (7) to enhance the cryopreservation process by adding (18) energy (19) such as in the surface energy of a substance in the cryopreservation fluid (4) prior to reducing energy for that same cryopreservation media for freezing. This can offer enhanced-post-cryogenic viability of the cryopreserved structures or a more optimum cooling curve (22) for a specific cell type.

The invention provides methods for improving cloning efficiency and modulating an imprinting control region. In particular embodiments, the invention provides methods for activating a repressed allele within an imprinting control region, thereby treating an imprinting associated disorder. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for improving somatic cell nuclear transfer efficiency that involve Kdm4d overexpression is a Xist knockout donor cell.

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.

Provided is a method for obtaining female germline stem cells from follicular aspirates.

An agent capable of promoting proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells is disclosed which comprises a growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF9) protein comprising a modified GDF9 polypeptide monomer which includes at least one amino acid substitution that enhances binding to and/or activation of activin-like kinase 4 and/or 5 receptor (ALK4/5). The agent is preferably provided in a mature dimeric form (eg comprising two monomers of the same modified GDF9 polypeptide monomer) and/or in a pro/mature complex form. The agent may be suitable for, inter alia, promoting oocyte maturation in vitro for use in assisted reproductive technologies.

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.