Method for identifying a mammal receptive to embryo transfer

Abstract

The present invention is drawn to novel methods of selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers in order to improve reproductive efficiency and milk production of the mammals. The present invention encompasses three methods: (1) selecting from any group of mammals; (2) selecting from estrus-negative mammals; and (3) selecting from estrus-negative mammals and pooling the selected mammals with estrus-positive mammals. Also encompassed is a kit for selecting mammals receptive to embryo transfers.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing milk production, comprising detecting the presence or absence of an ovarian corpus luteum in a population of cows that are not in estrus (estrus-negative), and transferring into an estrus-negative cow that has a corpus luteum an embryo, wherein a cow that subsequently becomes pregnant after embryo transfer is one that is receptive to embryo transfer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising synchronizing the estrus cycles of the cows. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the synchronization is achieved by administering prostaglandin to the cows. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the presence of a corpus luteum is detected by a method selected from the group consisting of: (i) rectal palpation; (ii) ultrasonography; (iii) measuring the concentration of progesterone in the blood of the cow; and (iv) measuring the concentration of the progesterone in the milk produced by the cow. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the embryo is between 5 days and 8 days old. 
     
     
         21 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the embryo is selected from the group consisting of fresh embryos, frozen embryos, in vivo embryos, in vitro fertilized embryos, embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer, embryos produced by embryonic cell nuclear transfer, embryos produced by embryonic splitting, embryos produced by sperm microinjection, embryos produced by genetic modification, and embryos produced by genetic selection. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cow receiving the embryo is in the estrus cycle between day 6 and day 10. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein synchronizing is achieved by administering one or more of prostaglandin, gonadotropin and progestin to the cows. 
     
     
         30 .- 32 . (canceled)