According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided for creating an opening in the calcified shell of an incubated bird egg containing an embryo, in the region of the blunt end of the incubated bird egg. Within the region of the blunt end there is an outer membrane and an inner membrane with an air cell located therebetween. The apparatus comprises a holder on which the incubated bird eggs are stored with their pointed ends facing downwards, wherein the embryo adjoins the inner membrane, a first detection device configured to detect the position and geometry of the air cell, and an opening device configured to create an opening in the calcified shell at the blunt end of the incubated bird egg above the taut inner membrane. Due to the open calcified shell, the sex of the embryo may be determined in a reliable way.

According to the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided for creating an opening in the calcified shell of an incubated bird egg containing an embryo, in the region of the blunt end of the incubated bird egg. Within the region of the blunt end there is an outer membrane and an inner membrane with an air cell located therebetween. The apparatus comprises a holder on which the incubated bird eggs are stored with their pointed ends facing downwards, wherein the embryo adjoins the inner membrane, a first detection device configured to detect the position and geometry of the air cell, and an opening device configured to create an opening in the calcified shell at the blunt end of the incubated bird egg above the taut inner membrane. Due to the open calcified shell, the sex of the embryo may be determined in a reliable way.

Mounting behavior is detected easily. A mounting behavior detection system includes a mounting-side apparatus, a mounted-side apparatus, and a charging apparatus. The mounting-side apparatus is attached to the neck or the chin of a first domestic animal, is configured to emit a transmission signal, and includes a battery. The mounted-side apparatus is attached at any position from the back to the tail of a second domestic animal and is configured to transmit a response signal in response to the transmission signal. The charging apparatus is configured to transmit power wirelessly to the battery.

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 relates to a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs and a use thereof, and specifically, a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs, comprising a polynucleotide consisting of 5 to 300 consecutive nucleotides comprising the nucleotides from the 1524.sup.th to the 1527.sup.th positions in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide complementary thereto, a composition for determining meat quality traits of pigs comprising an agent capable of detecting the genetic marker, a composition for determining Korean native pigs, a kit, a microarray, a method for determining meat quality traits of pigs, and a method for determining meat quality traits of Korean native pigs. The genetic marker of the present invention is a specific marker for determining the meat quality traits of pigs, and thus the marker can be used not only as a means for the objective evaluation of meat quality traits of pigs that cannot be determined by the naked eye but also as a means for distinguishing between foreign pigs and Korean native pigs, and is thereby capable of contributing to the establishment of distribution order of pork meat.

The present invention relates to a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs and a use thereof, and specifically, a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs, comprising a polynucleotide consisting of 5 to 300 consecutive nucleotides comprising the nucleotides from the 1524.sup.th to the 1527.sup.th positions in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide complementary thereto, a composition for determining meat quality traits of pigs comprising an agent capable of detecting the genetic marker, a composition for determining Korean native pigs, a kit, a microarray, a method for determining meat quality traits of pigs, and a method for determining meat quality traits of Korean native pigs. The genetic marker of the present invention is a specific marker for determining the meat quality traits of pigs, and thus the marker can be used not only as a means for the objective evaluation of meat quality traits of pigs that cannot be determined by the naked eye but also as a means for distinguishing between foreign pigs and Korean native pigs, and is thereby capable of contributing to the establishment of distribution order of pork meat.

The present invention relates to transgenic blue 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.

Methods and systems of promoting fertilization of eggs of an avian. While inseminating a plurality of avian eggs a spectrum substantially concentrated within a narrow range of wavelength irradiates the plurality of inseminated avian eggs to increase the motility of the sperm to increase the probability of conception of avian from the inseminated eggs.

Methods and systems of promoting fertilization of eggs of an avian. While inseminating a plurality of avian eggs a spectrum substantially concentrated within a narrow range of wavelength irradiates the plurality of inseminated avian eggs to increase the motility of the sperm to increase the probability of conception of avian from the inseminated eggs.

It is intended to provide an in vitro culture medium that allows the in vitro culture of fertilized eggs to progress normally to the blastocyst stage without arresting the development thereof. The normal development rate of a fertilized egg is improved by using 5-aminolevulinic acids represented by the following formula (I) (wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group) or salts thereof as an agent for improving a normal development rate of a fertilized egg. ##STR00001##