A model that closely resembles human excessive myopia can be prepared by mounting a minus lens (2) and a protector (4) to a juvenile mouse, the minus lens having an angle and a width adjustable in response to growth of the mouse. Further, this model analysis shows that myopia induction causes endoplasmic reticulum stress in a sclera and the endoplasmic reticulum stress induces myopia. Furthermore, it is revealed that an endoplasmic reticulum stress suppressant, particularly, phenylbutyrate and tauroursodeoxycholic acid act as a myopia prevention/suppression agent.

A model that closely resembles human excessive myopia can be prepared by mounting a minus lens (2) and a protector (4) to a juvenile mouse, the minus lens having an angle and a width adjustable in response to growth of the mouse. Further, this model analysis shows that myopia induction causes endoplasmic reticulum stress in a sclera and the endoplasmic reticulum stress induces myopia. Furthermore, it is revealed that an endoplasmic reticulum stress suppressant, particularly, phenylbutyrate and tauroursodeoxycholic acid act as a myopia prevention/suppression agent.

Disclosed are various approaches for determining an animal feed formulation. In some implementations, a system may obtain data that provides characteristics of an animal population located at a site. The system may identify a target growth schedule for the animal population. The system may use a data processing model to predict nutrition requirements for tissue growth in the animal population, using the target growth schedule and the characteristics of the animal population, as the model predicts nutrition requirements based on projected nitrogenous energy requirements for the tissue growth. The system may identify a feed formulation producible from a combination of animal feed ingredients to satisfy the nutrition requirements for tissue growth. The system may generate a data output for use of the feed formulation with the animal population, the data output indicating the identified feed formulation producible from the combination of animal feed ingredients.

A method of artificially inseminating a hen includes the steps of securing a male bird, applying a semen extender liquid to a tip of a cloacal protuberance of the male bird, squeezing the cloacal protuberance to extract semen from the male bird into the semen extender liquid to form a mixture, applying a tip of a pipette to the mixture, drawing the mixture into the pipette, securing the hen, inserting the pipette into the hen's cloaca, and squeezing a bulb of the pipette to inject the mixture from the pipette into the cloaca. A holding device for restraining a bird during sperm collection and artificial insemination procedures has a base, an arm extending upward from the base, and an open-ended receptacle connected to the upper end of the arm. The holding device is useful in mitigating injury to the bird and the handler during the procedures.

A method of artificially inseminating a hen includes the steps of securing a male bird, applying a semen extender liquid to a tip of a cloacal protuberance of the male bird, squeezing the cloacal protuberance to extract semen from the male bird into the semen extender liquid to form a mixture, applying a tip of a pipette to the mixture, drawing the mixture into the pipette, securing the hen, inserting the pipette into the hen's cloaca, and squeezing a bulb of the pipette to inject the mixture from the pipette into the cloaca. A holding device for restraining a bird during sperm collection and artificial insemination procedures has a base, an arm extending upward from the base, and an open-ended receptacle connected to the upper end of the arm. The holding device is useful in mitigating injury to the bird and the handler during the procedures.

The invention relates to methods of increasing the genetic progress of a line, breed or herd of swine through the use of sex-selected sperm cells in artificial insemination techniques. The invention also encompasses methods of artificially inseminating a swine via deep intrauterine catheter or via a laparoscopic procedure, which allow the use of reduced doses of sex-selected sperm cells.

The invention relates to methods of increasing the genetic progress of a line, breed or herd of swine through the use of sex-selected sperm cells in artificial insemination techniques. The invention also encompasses methods of artificially inseminating a swine via deep intrauterine catheter or via a laparoscopic procedure, which allow the use of reduced doses of sex-selected sperm cells.

A method of increasing the probability of breeding swine via a lighting system with a programmable timing device. The lighting system is programmed to present differing photoperiods such that the amount of light observed by a swine every day or week gradually decreases, mimicking a seasonal change, typically from summer to fall. As a result, swine psychologically and physiologically believe that seasons are changing resulting in increased probability of breeding for the swine.

A method of increasing the probability of breeding swine via a lighting system with a programmable timing device. The lighting system is programmed to present differing photoperiods such that the amount of light observed by a swine every day or week gradually decreases, mimicking a seasonal change, typically from summer to fall. As a result, swine psychologically and physiologically believe that seasons are changing resulting in increased probability of breeding for the swine.

The present invention relates to transgenic red ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.