Bioengineering of liquid media for hypothermic storage of germplasm and enhancement of mammalian fertility

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Our aim is to develop new extenders that are compatible with fertility enhancing proteins to increase fertility in animals that are bred using artificial insemination. This study will be carried out in partnership with CryoStasis Ltd., a biotechnology company that focuses on development of novel media (solutions) for preservation of cells, tissues and organs. The company has invented new methodologies of preservation that avoid freezing and extend the lifespan of mammalian cells in a liquid phase by storing cells, tissues, and ultimately organs at sub-zero Celsius environments that are sufficiently low enough to suppress or arrest cellular metabolic activity. These inventions have led to commercialization of media (extenders) used in artificial insemination of farm animals for pork and dairy production. Recently, the company has identified the need for two new products:1) Expansion of the company's commercial product range beyond the current commodity-type of extenders to include high margin value-added storage solutions for laboratory animals, and 2) Inclusion in extenders of proteins that will increase fertility. Fertility has been decreasing in agriculturally important animals which are crucial sources of human food as a result of inbreeding and genetic selection for attributes other than fertility. At Queen's University we have recently discovered a novel glycoprotein (oviductin) that has the potential to enhance the fertilizing competence of mammalian sperm. In partnership with CryoStasis researchers we aim to develop new extenders that are compatible with fertility enhancing proteins to increase fertility in animals that are bred using artificial insemination. Given the problems with low fertility in farm animals new extenders