Non-human animal models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are provided. Compositions and methods for producing the non-human animal models and uses of the non-human animal models to screen and evaluate agents for treating or preventing NAFLD are also provided.

A method comprising the steps of: 1. optionally subjecting spermatozoa to a treatment step; 2. subjecting the spermatozoa of step 1 to a sex selection step so as to select for either female or male spermatozoa of interest; 3. carrying out a fertilisation step using the spermatazoa of interest of step 2 to produce at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; 4. selectively lysing the at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo of step 3 in the presence of spermatozoa so as to selectively release cellular material from the at least one lysed oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; and 5. using the released cellular material in at least one downstream application.

A method comprising the steps of: 1. optionally subjecting spermatozoa to a treatment step; 2. subjecting the spermatozoa of step 1 to a sex selection step so as to select for either female or male spermatozoa of interest; 3. carrying out a fertilisation step using the spermatazoa of interest of step 2 to produce at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; 4. selectively lysing the at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo of step 3 in the presence of spermatozoa so as to selectively release cellular material from the at least one lysed oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; and 5. using the released cellular material in at least one downstream application.

Applicants have identified that three critical phenotypic/genetic measures are highly correlated with transition period health and may be used in selection and breeding protocols and/or in combination with traditional breeding and marker assisted selection methods to improve predictability of transition period health. According to the invention genetic evaluations for mastitis, ketosis, and metritis have been found to be highly predictive of overall transition health. The genetic evaluations are produced by directly measuring thousands of clinical cases of mastitis, ketosis, and metritis in ancestors of a particular animal and using this data in selection. Applicant's selection criteria and quickly impact a breeders population by reducing transition cow disease incidence in the initial population and in progeny.

Applicants have identified that three critical phenotypic/genetic measures are highly correlated with transition period health and may be used in selection and breeding protocols and/or in combination with traditional breeding and marker assisted selection methods to improve predictability of transition period health. According to the invention genetic evaluations for mastitis, ketosis, and metritis have been found to be highly predictive of overall transition health. The genetic evaluations are produced by directly measuring thousands of clinical cases of mastitis, ketosis, and metritis in ancestors of a particular animal and using this data in selection. Applicant's selection criteria and quickly impact a breeders population by reducing transition cow disease incidence in the initial population and in progeny.

Methods for identifying animals that are genetically superior, drugs, nutritional strategies, or physiological manipulations that improve feed efficiency or productivity of animals, e.g., selecting animals that are genetically superior for feed efficiency or productivity based on metabolic rates of particular tissues, wherein metabolic rates of certain tissues such as skeletal muscle are inversely proportional to feed efficiency, while metabolic rates of other tissues such as mammary gland are directly proportional to milk production. Thus, animals with low skeletal muscle metabolic rates are generally more feed efficient, e.g., gain more weight per unit of food. The methods herein may be used to improve the genetics, nutrition, and handling or animals more efficiently produced animal products, e.g., meat production, milk, production, egg production, wool production, etc. The methods herein may also be used to determine estimated breeding values of animals for feed efficiency, growth, or production.

Methods for identifying animals that are genetically superior, drugs, nutritional strategies, or physiological manipulations that improve feed efficiency or productivity of animals, e.g., selecting animals that are genetically superior for feed efficiency or productivity based on metabolic rates of particular tissues, wherein metabolic rates of certain tissues such as skeletal muscle are inversely proportional to feed efficiency, while metabolic rates of other tissues such as mammary gland are directly proportional to milk production. Thus, animals with low skeletal muscle metabolic rates are generally more feed efficient, e.g., gain more weight per unit of food. The methods herein may be used to improve the genetics, nutrition, and handling or animals more efficiently produced animal products, e.g., meat production, milk, production, egg production, wool production, etc. The methods herein may also be used to determine estimated breeding values of animals for feed efficiency, growth, or production.

Processing and use of fluids from the reproductive tract (biofluids) to improve the in vitro production of mammalian embryos comprising the following steps: a) fractionation and processing of biofluids through a sorting, purification, lyophilization and subsequent storage; b) a method of sperm capacitation in a culture medium supplemented with biofluids; c) in vitro fertilization in a medium enriched with biofluids and d) subsequent in vitro culture with development of the obtained embryos to any stage of preimplantational development in culture media supplemented with biofluids.

Processing and use of fluids from the reproductive tract (biofluids) to improve the in vitro production of mammalian embryos comprising the following steps: a) fractionation and processing of biofluids through a sorting, purification, lyophilization and subsequent storage; b) a method of sperm capacitation in a culture medium supplemented with biofluids; c) in vitro fertilization in a medium enriched with biofluids and d) subsequent in vitro culture with development of the obtained embryos to any stage of preimplantational development in culture media supplemented with biofluids.

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.