Enhanced maintenance of pregnancy using leukaemia inhibitory factor in embryo culturing
First Claim
1. A method of enhancing the maintenance of pregnancy in a mammal into which an embryo has been introduced, wherein said mammal is selected from the group consisting of ruminants, humans, pigs, donkeys, horses, dogs and cats, said method comprising prior to said introducing,culturing at least one embryo in a medium containing an amount of leukemia inhibitory factor for sufficient time and under appropriate conditions so as to effect an enhancement of the maintenance of pregnancy in said mammal.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the enhancement of development and maintenance of mammalian embryos, particularly sheep embryos. It has been observed that following the introduction into foster mothers of embryos cultured in vitro in the presence of LIF, the maintenance of pregnancy is enhanced relative to that seen following introduction of embryos that had not been cultured with LIF prior to introduction into foster mothers.
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11 Claims
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1. A method of enhancing the maintenance of pregnancy in a mammal into which an embryo has been introduced, wherein said mammal is selected from the group consisting of ruminants, humans, pigs, donkeys, horses, dogs and cats, said method comprising prior to said introducing,
culturing at least one embryo in a medium containing an amount of leukemia inhibitory factor for sufficient time and under appropriate conditions so as to effect an enhancement of the maintenance of pregnancy in said mammal.
Specification