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##

The present invention relates inter alia to improvements in the production of chimaeric antibodies in non-human transgenic vertebrates such as mice and rats bearing one or more chimaeric antibody transgenes. In particular, the invention provides for improved non-human vertebrates and cells in which VpreB has been species-matched with the variable region of the chimaeric antibodies. Also, embodiments also provide for species-matching of the entire surrogate light chain for efficient pairing with chimaeric heavy chains during B-cell development in vivo in a non-human transgenic vertebrate setting.

The present invention relates inter alia to improvements in the production of chimaeric antibodies in non-human transgenic vertebrates such as mice and rats bearing one or more chimaeric antibody transgenes. In particular, the invention provides for improved non-human vertebrates and cells in which VpreB has been species-matched with the variable region of the chimaeric antibodies. Also, embodiments also provide for species-matching of the entire surrogate light chain for efficient pairing with chimaeric heavy chains during B-cell development in vivo in a non-human transgenic vertebrate setting.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method that is excellent in superovulation induction efficiency. Specifically, it is an object to provide a method giving superior superovulation induction efficiency as compared with conventional methods using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The present invention provides a superovulation inducing method, comprising simultaneously administering anti-inhibin antibody and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), then, administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to a female mouse.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method that is excellent in superovulation induction efficiency. Specifically, it is an object to provide a method giving superior superovulation induction efficiency as compared with conventional methods using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The present invention provides a superovulation inducing method, comprising simultaneously administering anti-inhibin antibody and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), then, administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to a female mouse.

Provided are a method of maintaining the ovaries of marine fish, and a method of obtaining fertilized egg. Provided is a method of maintaining ovaries in which the ovaries are removed from marine fish and the ovaries or fragmented ovaries are cultured in a culture solution. Also, provided is a method of obtaining fertilized eggs of marine fish, the method including allowing ovaries, which have been maintained after removal to ovulate and performing artificial insemination. Further, the present invention relates to a method of maintaining the fertilization capability of ovulated eggs of marine fish by using the culture solution. According to the present invention, fertilized eggs of marine fish can be easily obtained and seed can be efficiently produced.

Disclosed herein is an aeration hose capable of diffusing bubbles of air within a body of water, comprising a) a hose portion derived from a composition, comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin; a first rubber component; a second rubber component; at least one copolymer; at least one low temperature plasticizer; at least one filler comprising copper dioxide; at least one heat stabilizer; at least one internal lubricant; at least one antioxidant; and at least one biofouling agent, wherein the hose portion comprises an outer hose portion, an inner hose portion and a plurality of hose apertures capable of receiving and diffusing pressurized air, wherein the hose is flexible and has no memory, and wherein the hose apertures are provided therethrough the inner hose portion and the outer hose portion and proportionally spaced about the outer hose portion along a length of the hose portion.

Disclosed herein is an aeration hose capable of diffusing bubbles of air within a body of water, comprising a) a hose portion derived from a composition, comprising a polyvinyl chloride resin; a first rubber component; a second rubber component; at least one copolymer; at least one low temperature plasticizer; at least one filler comprising copper dioxide; at least one heat stabilizer; at least one internal lubricant; at least one antioxidant; and at least one biofouling agent, wherein the hose portion comprises an outer hose portion, an inner hose portion and a plurality of hose apertures capable of receiving and diffusing pressurized air, wherein the hose is flexible and has no memory, and wherein the hose apertures are provided therethrough the inner hose portion and the outer hose portion and proportionally spaced about the outer hose portion along a length of the hose portion.

A transgenic non-human mammal has a genome that includes an early-immediate enhancer of human cytomegalovirus (CMV enhancer), a -actin promoter and the entire gene region of human matrix metalloproteinase 2 (hMMP2) disposed downstream of the promoter. The hMMP2 is systemically expressed in the transgenic non-human mammal, which thus provides a suitable animal model for studying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and related diseases and conditions.

The transplant fish production method includes selecting a donor fish species, selecting first and second fish species which are a combination that could be sterile, producing a hybrid fish species of the selected first fish species and second fish species, and transplanting reproductive cells of the donor fish species into the produced hybrid fish species.