The present invention provides methods for estimating the breeding value of individuals in populations such as those having small effective population size (Ne) e.g., to identify selection candidates having high breeding values, wherein the methods comprise inferring one or more genotypes for one or more markers at a locus or QTL to be the same as for an ancestor or founder or a subset of ancestors and/or founders from which a corresponding chromosome segment is derived and estimating the breeding value of the individual based on the inferred genotype(s).

A non-human animal model for neurodegenerative and/or inflammatory diseases is provided, which non-human animal comprises a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus. In particular, non-human animals described herein comprise a deletion of an entire coding sequence of a C9ORF72 locus. Methods of identifying therapeutic candidates that may be used to prevent, delay or treat one or more neurodegenerative (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)), autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases (e.g., SLE, glomerulonephritis) are also provided.

A non-human animal model for neurodegenerative and/or inflammatory diseases is provided, which non-human animal comprises a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus. In particular, non-human animals described herein comprise a deletion of an entire coding sequence of a C9ORF72 locus. Methods of identifying therapeutic candidates that may be used to prevent, delay or treat one or more neurodegenerative (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)), autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases (e.g., SLE, glomerulonephritis) are also provided.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing reproduction performance in non-human mammals using a biologically active recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rFSH). The invention also relates to methods for increasing ovulation, embryo production or pregnancies in non-human mammals using rFSH. The invention may be used in particular in ungulates such as bovines or equines.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing reproduction performance in non-human mammals using a biologically active recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rFSH). The invention also relates to methods for increasing ovulation, embryo production or pregnancies in non-human mammals using rFSH. The invention may be used in particular in ungulates such as bovines or equines.

Single nucleotide polymorphic sites of the bovine MAP1B, PPP1R11, and DDX4 genes are associated with improved bull fertility as measured by e.g. sire conception rates. Nucleic acid molecules, arrays, kits, methods of genotyping and marker-assisted bovine breeding methods based on these SNPs are disclosed.

Single nucleotide polymorphic sites of the bovine MAP1B, PPP1R11, and DDX4 genes are associated with improved bull fertility as measured by e.g. sire conception rates. Nucleic acid molecules, arrays, kits, methods of genotyping and marker-assisted bovine breeding methods based on these SNPs are disclosed.

Genetically modified non-human animals comprising a human or humanized interleukin-7 (IL-7) gene. Cells, embryos, and non-human animals comprising a human or humanized IL-7 gene. Rodents that express human or humanized IL-7 protein. Genetically modified mice that comprise a human or humanized IL-7-encoding gene in their germline, wherein the human or humanized IL-7-encoding gene is under control of endogenous mouse IL-7 regulatory sequences.

The present invention provides a simple and rapid construction of an animal model of constipation and use thereof. The construction method comprises: irritating a rat via tail-clamping and then gavaging the rat with 3.5-7 mg/kg of loperamide the next day, wherein the tail-clamping irritation treatment is as follows: clamping a tail 2-4 times every day for 25-35 min each time continuously for 3-5 days. The present invention obtains a method for constructing a rat model of constipation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency by combining the tail-clamping irritation treatment and loperamide gavage treatment. The method has a short modeling period, is simple to operate, has a low cost, and effectively overcomes stress reaction of a rat. Besides, the constructed rat model of constipation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency has various mechanisms, being stable, reliable and high in repeatability.

The present invention provides a simple and rapid construction of an animal model of constipation and use thereof. The construction method comprises: irritating a rat via tail-clamping and then gavaging the rat with 3.5-7 mg/kg of loperamide the next day, wherein the tail-clamping irritation treatment is as follows: clamping a tail 2-4 times every day for 25-35 min each time continuously for 3-5 days. The present invention obtains a method for constructing a rat model of constipation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency by combining the tail-clamping irritation treatment and loperamide gavage treatment. The method has a short modeling period, is simple to operate, has a low cost, and effectively overcomes stress reaction of a rat. Besides, the constructed rat model of constipation caused by liver depression and spleen deficiency has various mechanisms, being stable, reliable and high in repeatability.