Reduced Dose Inseminate for Rare Genetic Resource Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial insemination methods require a large number of sperm cells for successful fertilization, which can be limiting for certain animals with rare genetic resources or low fertility sperm cells, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A reduced dose inseminate is produced by combining paternal sperm cells with heterogeneous sperm cells, allowing for fertilization with fewer sperm cells, increasing the usage of rare genetic resources and reducing costs, while maintaining fertility rates comparable to conventional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional artificial insemination methods are used, then successful fertilization can be achieved, but a large number of sperm cells are required which limits the usage of rare genetic resources and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of sperm cells in the inseminate from conventional high concentration (50-200 million cells/mL) to reduced concentration (1-50 million cells/mL), while maintaining fertilization success through optimized extender formulations and incubation conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of genetic material by using a small number of highly viable sperm cells to fertilize multiple oocytes through in vitro fertilization, thereby amplifying the contribution of rare genetic resources
2Adaptability or versatility
If sex-selected inseminates are produced by separating X-chromosome bearing sperm cells from Y-chromosome bearing sperm cells, then sex-specific offspring can be obtained, but the supply of semen is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sperm population by sex chromosome content through flow cytometry or other separation techniques, creating distinct X-bearing and Y-bearing sperm fractions that can be used for targeted sex selection in artificial insemination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the concentration parameter of sex-selected sperm from conventional high concentration to reduced concentration, allowing the diluted sex-selected sperm to maintain fertilization capability while expanding the usable supply from limited starting material
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sperm cells of certain animals are used, then fertilization can be attempted, but the sperm cells have reduced fertility or cannot achieve the threshold of fertility in conventional procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including sperm concentration, extender composition, pH, osmolarity, and incubation temperature to create conditions that enhance sperm viability and fertilization capability for species with naturally lower fertility rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specially formulated extenders and culture media as intermediary substances that protect and sustain sperm cells from species with reduced fertility, providing the necessary nutritional and protective environment to maintain sperm function
Data Source
AI summary
Artificial insemination of female animals and in vitro fertilization of oocytes with fresh or frozen-thawed semen have been applied to the reproduction of animals. According to the traditional theory and conventional procedures, a great number of sperm cells are needed to ensure a successful fertilization.