Single-Injection Microsphere Formulation for Bovine Superovulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current superovulation protocols for bovine, caprine, ovine, and camelid animals are inefficient due to the need for multiple injections of gonadotropins, which are stressful for the animals, labor-intensive, and result in variable embryo yields, making it difficult to achieve synchronous ovulation and high fertilization rates.
Innovation Solution
A single-injection method using a dual-hormone protein microsphere matrix with a controlled release agent, comprising recombinant FSH and LH, which induces dominant follicle removal and synchronous ovulation, allowing for the controlled growth and maturation of multiple ovarian follicles, thereby simplifying the superstimulation and superovulation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple injections of gonadotropins are used for superovulation, then follicle growth and ovulation can be induced, but the process becomes labor-intensive and stressful for animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gonadotropin hormones (FSH and LH) into a single microsphere formulation that can be administered via one injection. This merging of multiple therapeutic agents into one delivery system eliminates the need for repeated injections while maintaining the biological effectiveness of inducing multiple follicle growth and synchronous ovulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microspheres are designed to release hormones in a predetermined sequence and timing pattern that mimics natural physiological processes. The formulation preliminarily establishes the appropriate hormone release profile during manufacturing, so that upon single injection, the hormones are released at optimal times to induce follicle development and ovulation without requiring additional injections or monitoring.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple injections are administered to achieve synchronous ovulation, then fertilization rates can be improved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The microsphere formulation is designed to release hormones in periodic patterns that replicate natural cyclic hormone secretion. The controlled release mechanism provides pulsatile or phased release of FSH and LH at biologically appropriate intervals, achieving synchronous ovulation control through timed hormone delivery without requiring multiple manual injections over several days.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the delivery parameters of gonadotropins from intermittent injections to continuous controlled release. By altering the administration mode from discrete dosage events to sustained release with specific kinetic profiles, the system achieves precise synchronous ovulation control while reducing the total time required for the superovulation protocol.
3Productivity
If conventional superovulation protocols are used, then multiple embryos can be produced, but embryo yields are variable and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled release formulation incorporates feedback mechanisms through its design, where the release rate of hormones is determined by the degradation rate of the microsphere matrix and the diffusion characteristics of the hormones. This built-in feedback system ensures consistent hormone delivery patterns that lead to reproducible follicle development and ovulation outcomes, thereby improving embryo yield consistency across different treatment cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The microsphere formulation is designed to self-regulate hormone release based on its physical and chemical properties in the biological environment. The system automatically maintains appropriate hormone levels without requiring external intervention or monitoring, ensuring consistent superovulation responses and reliable embryo production across multiple treatments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the stress and labor associated with multiple injections, achieves higher and more consistent embryo yields, and allows for controlled ovulation, improving the efficiency of embryo production in reproductive management programs.
Implementation Method 1
A single-injection method using a dual-hormone protein microsphere matrix with a controlled release agent, comprising recombinant FSH and LH
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and formulations for a simplified, single-injection method to induce and control the synchronous growth (superstimulation), and ovulation (superovulation) of multiple ovarian follicles in bovine, ovine, caprine, camelid and other female animals enabling the subsequent collection of (a) multiple oocytes when conducting in-vitro fertilization, or (b) multiple embryos when conducting multiple ovulation embryo transfer.