51 results about "Avian embryo" patented technology

Methods for modulating primordial germ cell (PGC) numbers and / or development in avians are provided. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a method for modulating primordial germ cells numbers in an avian embryo comprising immunizing a female bird with an antigen associated with primordial germ cells, whereby an egg produced by the female bird comprises a sufficiently high concentration of antibodies specific for the antigen to modulate numbers of endogenous PGCs in an avian embryo present within in the egg. Also provided are methods for producing chimeric avians, methods for increasing the proportion of male birds in a plurality of eggs, methods of producing avian gametes, and methods for enhancing germ line transmission of nucleic acids in birds.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for pre-hatch avian embryo sex determination. In particular, the invention relates to a non-invasive method and apparatus for in-ovo determining the sex of avian species while in the egg and allowing to sort the eggs into groups consisting primarily of either male or female embryos. The method comprises the steps of introducing into the egg an antibody designed to match with a sex specific antigen on the embryo, which antibody is labelled, allowing the labelled antibody to migrate to and bind with the sex specific antigen on the embryo, detecting binding of the labelled antibodies on the embryo using detection means positioned outside of the egg.

The present invention relates to animal model systems comprising a chimera between an avian embryo and a mammalian organism. Specifically, chimeric model systems comprising normal, diseased or genetically transformed mammalian cells and tissues transplanted into avian embryos, and uses thereof for in vivo testing of drugs and therapeutic modalities are disclosed.

The present invention is transgenic chickens obtained from long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs are transmitted through the germline to yield transgenic offspring. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs and offspring derived from them that are genetically modified. The genetic modifications introduced into PGCs to achieve the gene inactivation may also include, but are not restricted to, random integrations of transgenes into the genome, transgenes inserted into the promoter region of genes, transgenes inserted into repetitive elements in the genome, site specific changes to the genome that are introduced using integrase, site specific changes to the genome introduced by homologous recombination, and conditional mutations introduced into the genome by excising DNA that is flanked by lox sites or other sequences that are substrates for site specific recombination.

The invention provides a novel culture medium useful for the proliferation and maintenance of avian primordial germ cells (PGCs) and encompassing a medium base, leukemia inhibitory factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, stem cell factor and insulin-like growth factor, and an avian serum. The invention also provides a method for the proliferation and maintenance of avian primordial germ cells for extended periods encompassing the steps of isolating a population of PGCs from an avian and culturing the PGCs in a culture medium containing the growth factors and avian serum. The invention further provides methods of producing chimeric avians by isolating and culturing PGCs in a culture medium containing avian serum, transferring the PGCs into a recipient avian embryo, and allowing the recipient avian to develop into a chimeric bird. Another aspect of the invention provides a culture of avian PGCs grown and maintained in the culture medium containing avian serum.

The present invention is long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce germline chimeric and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs produce germline chimeric birds. These germline chimeric birds do not have PGC derived somatic cells or tissues. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs that can be genetically modified by gene targeting, that can accept large amounts of foreign DNA and that contribute to the germline of recipient embryos.

The present invention relates to a process for the non-destructive determination of gender, developmental stage and / or viability of an avian embryo in an egg, comprising (a) detecting at least a first developmental marker compound selected from sugars and / or amino acids, precursors and metabolites thereof in an egg at a time period of from the beginning of the incubation of the egg until the hatching; (b) measuring the amount of the at least first detected developmental marker compound, and (c) comparing the amount to a base line established for male and female, developmental stage of the embryo, and / or alive and deceased or non-developed embryo, to determine whether the embryo is viable, male and / or female, and / or the developmental stage of the embryo.

The present invention provides a microinjection assembly including a microscope, a microinjection system comprising a micromanipulator, a micropipette and a piezo-electric oscillator, and an obliquely angled macro monitoring unit. The present invention also provides methods of microinjecting the germinal disk of an avian egg, thereby delivering a transgenic nucleus, spermatozoon or isolated nucleic acid to the avian embryo. The avian ovum may be returned to a female bird for hard-shell deposit and laying of the egg for hatching as a transfected bird.

The invention provides a poultry egg hatching method for the producing of avian embryo with high nutritional value, which has the steps that a hatching bed is prepared. The hatching bed is composed in sequence from up to bottom an insulation layer, a heating layer and a Chinese medicine layer. The fertilized poultry egg is disposed above the Chinese medicine layer, afterwards the insulation layer is laid above the poultry egg. Through the heating layer, the hatching bed temperature is heated to 36 to 39 DEG C, which is also maintained until a mature embryo is formed from the poultry egg or is out of shell. A Chinese medicine layer is added during the poultry egg hatching process and an appropriate temperature is controlled, thereby the beneficial Chinese medicine components generated from the Chinese medicine layer in the heating process infiltrated into the poultry egg inside is absorbed by the developing embryo. The animal embryo produced contains various medicine components which are useful for human bodies, which has the effectiveness of healthy body building after eaten, or the seedlings hatched out has a strong immunity.

The invention relates to transgenic avians which produce antibodies in the egg white by introducing a nucleic acid sequence into the genome of an avian embryo wherein the nucleic acid sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody and to the antibodies and to methods related thereto.

The invention discloses a bivalent inactivated vaccine against gosling plague and goose paramyxovirus disease and a preparation method thereof. The bivalent inactivated vaccine comprises an inactivated vaccine against gosling plague and an inactivated vaccine against goose paramyxovirus disease. The inactivated vaccine against gosling plague is obtained by inactivating blastochyle obtained by a bird embryo inoculating a duck embryonization lentogen strain of gosling plague; the inactivated vaccine against goose paramyxovirus disease is obtained by inactivating blastochyle obtained by a bird embryo inoculating a velogen strain of goose paramyxovirus. The method comprises: hatching a bird embryo of the duck embryonization lentogen strain inoculating a gosling plagues and a bird embryo of the velogen strain inoculating goose paramyxovirus; selecting embryos which die when hatched between 96 and 216 hours; collecting blastochyle; adding formaldehyde in the blastochyle and inactivation to obtain bivalent inactivated vaccine against gosling plagues and goose paramyxovirus disease.

The present invention is long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce germline chimeric and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs are transmitted through the germline to yield transgenic offspring. These germline chimeric birds do not have substantial contributions of PGC-derived phenotypes in somatic cells or tissues. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs that can be genetically modified by gene targeting, that can accept large amounts of foreign DNA and that contribute to the germline of recipient embryos.

A system for determining the gender and / or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female. In an embodiment, the captured volatile organic compounds are transferred to a sample chamber where the captured gas is analyzed.

The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection / infestation.

In one embodiment, a process and method of screening an avian embryo feather color (pre-hatching) and determining the sex of the avian embryo, based at least in part, on the feather color or the color of feather precursors is provided. In an alternate embodiment, a process and method of screening chick embryo sex is provided, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a chicken egg; (ii) exposing the chicken egg to, or contacting the chicken egg with, electromagnetic radiation emitted from an electromagnetic radiation source; (iii) determining the amount of absorption, diffusion, refraction, reflection or a combination of any of the forgoing, of the electromagnetic radiation by the chicken egg by using an imaging system; (iv) comparing the absorption, diffusion, refraction, reflection or a combination of any of the forgoing, of the electromagnetic radiation by the chicken egg to a database; and (v) determining the sex of the chick embryo in the chicken egg, at least in part, as a result of the comparing step.

In one embodiment, a process and method of screening an avian embryo feather color (pre-hatching) and determining the sex of the avian embryo, based at least in part, on the feather color or the color of feather precursors is provided. In an alternate embodiment, a process and method of screening chick embryo sex is provided, comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a chicken egg; (ii) exposing the chicken egg to, or contacting the chicken egg with, electromagnetic radiation emitted from an electromagnetic radiation source; (iii) determining the amount of absorption, diffusion, refraction, reflection or a combination of any of the forgoing, of the electromagnetic radiation by the chicken egg by using an imaging system; (iv) comparing the absorption, diffusion, refraction, reflection or a combination of any of the forgoing, of the electromagnetic radiation by the chicken egg to a database; and (v) determining the sex of the chick embryo in the chicken egg, at least in part, as a result of the comparing step.

The invention discloses a nourishing food made from avian embryo eggs, relating to a health food prepared with the avian embryo eggs to be hatched as main raw materials and a production technique thereof. The finished product is prepared by taking the avian embryo eggs to be hatched as the main raw materials through purification and slaking. As the avian embryo eggs to be hatched are taken as the raw materials for processing and utilization, the nourishing food of the avian embryo eggs pertains to a green natural food, with multiple effective ingredients and multifunctions of nourishing, health care and the like, and is easily absorbed by human body. The nourishing food of the avian embryo eggs contains more than ten kinds of amino acids required by human body, calcium of high content, multiplex vitamins, digestive enzymes, hormone, and the like, in particular, the content of the vitamin A can be higher by 15 percent than the grown poultry. The nourishing food made from the avian embryo eggs can improve health condition and human immunity, with relatively good health-care effect, simple and convenient processing technique, low equipment investment, low loss of effective ingredients in raw materials and relatively long quality preservation period of the product.

The present invention is transgenic chickens obtained from long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs are transmitted through the germline to yield transgenic offspring. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs and offspring derived from them that are genetically modified. The genetic modifications introduced into PGCs to achieve the gene inactivation may also include, but are not restricted to, random integrations of transgenes into the genome, transgenes inserted into the promoter region of genes, transgenes inserted into repetitive elements in the genome, site specific changes to the genome that are introduced using integrase, site specific changes to the genome introduced by homologous recombination, and conditional mutations introduced into the genome by excising DNA that is flanked by lox sites or other sequences that are substrates for site specific recombination.

The present invention has for its object to provide a transgenic bird with a foreign gene containing a feline-derived protein-encoding sequence as transferred therein, and a method of producing the same. The present invention provides a method of producing a feline-derived protein by using a transgenic bird with a method which comprises infecting an avian embryo with a replication defective retrovirus vector containing a foreign gene by microinjection thereof into the early heart or blood vessel formed in the embryo and allowing the embryo to hatch.

The invention relates to detection and reorganization of a hatching living bird embryo. At present, testing methods of the hatching living bird embryo comprise apexcardiogram (ACG), ballistocardiogram (BCG), electrocardiograph (ECG) and impedance cardiogram (ICG). Because the methods have a variety of defects, a testing system of a weak acoustic signal of the living bird embryo is designed by using the weak acoustic signal sent by the hatching living bird embryo and combining the acoustic theory with the characteristics of a rotational ellipsoid, therefore, the invention solves the problem of recognizing the mode of the living bird embryo. Tests on the weak acoustic signal of the living chick embryo show that: the detection system has the advantages of novel design, simple operation, strong practicability, low cost and remarkable effect, and can not cause any adverse effects on the living chick embryonic development. The invention is also suitable for the mode reorganization and the weak acoustic signal detection of other living bird embryos.

The present invention is transgenic chickens obtained from long-term cultures of avian PGCs and techniques to produce and transgenic birds derived from prolonged PGC cultures. In some embodiments, these PGCs can be transfected with genetic constructs to modify the DNA of the PGC, specifically to introduce a transgene encoding an exogenous protein. When combined with a host avian embryo by known procedures, those modified PGCs are transmitted through the germline to yield transgenic offspring. This invention includes compositions comprising long-term cultures of PGCs and offspring derived from them that are genetically modified. The genetic modifications introduced into PGCs to achieve the gene inactivation may also include, but are not restricted to, random integrations of transgenes into the genome, transgenes inserted into the promoter region of genes, transgenes inserted into repetitive elements in the genome, site specific changes to the genome that are introduced using integrase, site specific changes to the genome introduced by homologous recombination, and conditional mutations introduced into the genome by excising DNA that is flanked by lox sites or other sequences that are substrates for site specific recombination.

We describe a new technology for producing eggs containing recombinant proteins based on the novel use of avian adenoviruses (AAV). Adenovirus infected embryonated eggs are used as the host organism. The proteins synthesized are isolated in high amounts per egg and purified excluding time-consuming steps of purification. As far as is known, the mechanisms of translation and post-translational modification of proteins in avian species fully resembles those of other higher eukaryotes such as humans, veterinary animals, and plants. In contrast with bacterial, yeast and plant host system s for producing recombinant proteins, avian embryos allow isolation of protein s in biologically active form free of endotoxins. The combination of high productivity and possibility of obtaining proteins in native form makes the system a unique choice for biotechnology, much more favorable than other hosts currently being used for this purpose.

The present invention relates to methods of gender determination and identification in avian subjects. More specifically, the invention provides non-invasive methods using transgenic avian animals that comprise at least one reporter gene integrated into at least one gender chromosome Z or W. The transgenic avian animals of the invention are used for gender determination and selection of embryos inunhatched avian eggs.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for pre-hatch avian embryo sex determination. In particular, the invention relates to a non-invasive method and apparatus for in-ovo determining the sex of avian species while in the egg and allowing to sort the eggs into groups consisting primarily of either male or female embryos. The method comprises the steps of introducing into the egg an antibody designed to match with a sex specific antigen on the embryo, which antibody is labelled, allowing the labelled antibody to migrate to and bind with the sex specific antigen on the embryo, detecting binding of the labelled antibodies on the embryo using detection means positioned outside of the egg.