FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to animal husbandry and the reproductive management process commonly referred to as embryo transfer (ET) technology. More specifically, the present invention is directed to simplified, single-injection methods and formulations to induce and control the synchronous growth (superstimulation), and ovulation (superovulation) of multiple ovarian follicles in bovine, caprine, ovine, camelid and other female animals enabling the subsequent collection of (a) multiple oocytes when conducting steps in the process generally referred to as in-vitro fertilization, or (b) multiple embryos when conducting steps in the process generally referred to as multiple ovulation embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the reproductive management processes within animal husbandry is commonly referred to as embryo transfer (ET) technology which is comprised of the two sub-disciplines of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET). Both sub-disciplines deliver the same outcome of multiple embryos which are then transferred immediately into uteri of surrogate hosts, or frozen for transfer later.

IVF uses exogenous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) for ovarian superstimulation causing multiple follicles to synchronously grow and mature. Prior to natural ovulation, the oocytes are harvested manually via ultrasound-guided oocyte pick-up (OPU), then, in the lab, oocytes are allowed to undergo in vitro maturation (IVM), are fertilized in a petri dish (IVF) to create embryos, which are cultured (IVC) for 7-8 days prior to transfer or freezing.

MOET uses exogenous FSH for ovarian superovulation causing multiple follicles to synchronously grow, mature and ovulate. The ovulated oocytes are fertilized in-vivo and then recovered from the uterus as embryos 7 days later for transfer or freezing. Both IVF and MOET feature the physiology of, and requirement for exogenous FSH as the crucial, must-have hormone component of embryo transfer technology. IVF and MOET are typically used on high-genetic-value females in a species which normally ovulate only one oocyte per estrous cycle (monovulatory) resulting in one offspring born per gestation cycle. When that same female is placed into a MOET program she is referred to as an embryo donor and has the potential (bovine, for example) to produce 50-100 viable embryos annually resulting in 35-70 offspring born via surrogate embryo recipients per 12 months.

While MOET has been practiced commercially for the past 40 years, commercial acceptance of IVF produced embryos began approximately 10 years ago.

Existing methods and systems for IVF and MOET include: EP0021234B1, EP0298990B1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,499,445, 3,835,108, 3,860,701, 4,005,063, 4,008,209, 4,159,980, 4,670,419, 4,762,717, 4,780,451, 4,975,280, 5,162,306, 5,512,303, 5,589,457, 5,633,014, 5,650,173, 5,747,058, 5,941,844, 6,028,057, 6,573,254, 7,151,083, 7,205,281, 7,446,090, 7,740,884, 7,741,268, 8,530,419, 8,905,913, 8,927,496, 8,937,044, 9,018,165, 9,351,818, 9,352,011, US20050130894, US20060264372, US20070173450, US20070197435, US20090036384, US20120046519, US20130041210, US20130085321, CN101129333A, CN104800834A, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,599,227, 7,563,763, 7,629,113, 8,518,881, US20080312151, US20140335193, US20150335713, US20160250333, WO199516459A1.

IVF oocyte donors typically require four to six injections of FSH over two-three days while MOET donors require eight FSH injections administered over four days.

To satisfy the genetic and financial objectives of the donor's owner, the impetus for incorporating multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and/or trans-vaginal ovum pick-up (OPU) coupled with IVF into a reproductive management program for bovine livestock and other animals has been to increase the reproductive rates of females which have demonstrated desirable reproduction, mothering and/or production traits, or due to genomic testing are likely to possess and express desirable reproduction, mothering and/or production traits in their offspring. MOET is not possible in the absence of superovulation and approximately half of the animals worldwide subjected to OPU, notablyBos taurusdonors incorporate a superstimulation protocol to yield follicles which contain healthy, mature oocytes appropriate for OPU, IVF and culture.

Known superovulation protocols for MOET can be repeated every five to seven weeks and on average produce a sevenfold viable (transferrable) embryo increase per occasion, and an eleven-fold or more per lifetime increase in recoverable, viable embryos when compared to using no assisted reproductive technologies in a species. In the absence of superovulation protocols, a single viable embryo can be recovered approximately sixty percent of the time from a non-stimulated donor, and that requires the collection being performed by experienced technicians. Under similar conditions, known superovulation methods yield an average of seven transferrable or freezable embryos per superovulation although the variation is wide in number. Due to an assortment of reasons, no viable embryos are recovered from 15% of superovulation attempts. A small percentage of superovulated donors yield more than twenty transferrable/freezable embryos per superovulation; and very rarely, more than fifty. Known superstimulation protocols for IVF donors on average produce a threefold viable (transferrable) embryo increase per oocyte pickup session, which can be repeated every two to three weeks.

Two known methods for superovulating bovine animals have been based on using one of two different gonadotropins, specifically FSH or PMSG. Gonadotropins are glycoprotein polypeptide hormones secreted in most vertebrates and include the mammalian hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), placental/chorionic gonadotropins human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) which is also referred to as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). These hormones are central to complex endocrine system regulation, normal growth, sexual development, and reproductive function. The hormones LH and FSH are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, while hCG and eCG (PMSG) are secreted by the placenta in pregnant humans and mares, respectively. Veterinary-use PMSG (which is not US FDA approved) is indicated for estrus synchronization in sows and laboratory animals. Veterinary-use FSH is US FDA approved and is indicated for the induction of superstimulation and superovulation in beef and dairy heifers and cows.

A known first method of inducing superovulation was to administer off-label an intramuscular injection of 1800-3000 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), followed by LH or GnRH and prostaglandin F2 alpha. A second prostaglandin injection was often given twelve-to-twenty hours after the first, which typically improved embryo production. Unfortunately, PMSG never became the popular “gold standard” superovulatory agent due to its unpredictability to generate a superovulatory response, and due to the extreme range of viable embryo yield when the hormone did stimulate. These problems with PMSG are thought to be associated with a reduced ability to deliver an LH surge, and to PMSG's very long half-life (>40 hours) which results in the undesired continued recruitment of follicles after ovulation. The systemic physiological half-life of FSH is 5 hours in the cow.

A second known method of superovulation which has been the gold standard protocol the past 40 years due to its predictable embryo yield is to administer eight injections of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) at half-day intervals. Prior to and throughout FSH treatment, a progesterone (P4) impregnated device is placed vaginally which maintains high, sustained systemic P4. Lutalyse (dinoprost) or Estrumate (D-cloprostenol) is injected 72 to 96 hours after initiation of treatment along with the sixth, seventh or eighth FSH injection. A common decreasing dose, two injections per day FSH regimen is 15 iu 2×, 11 iu 2×, 7 iu 2×, and 4 iu 2×, administered at 12-hour intervals over four days with Estrumate or Lutalyse injected with the sixth, seventh or eighth FSH injection. In addition to the eight FSH injections, an injection of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) is normally administered two days before the start of FSH which serves to stimulate the release of endogenous LH, which causes rupture (removal) of the dominant ovarian follicle thereby prompting a new wave of follicular growth to begin. A second GnRH injection is routinely administered in MOET programs two days after the final FSH injection to stimulate the release of endogenous LH to control and predict the donor's ovulation period. This second GnRH injection is administered with the hope and desire that it will manipulate, stimulate and control the onset of the donor's LH surge culminating in synchronous ovulation over a desired period of time resulting in a high fertilization rate. Endogenous GnRH originates in the hypothalamus and travels systemically to the pituitary gland with the expectation that as a releasing hormone, it will travel systemically to the pituitary and stimulate the critical pulsatile releases of LH (the LH surge) from the pituitary which then travels systemically to the ovaries to induce synchronous and complete ovulation over a time period. Unfortunately, the addition of exogenous GnRH during a MOET procedure does not always result in synchronous nor complete ovulation of all matured follicles, both of which are required to achieve a high fertilization rate and high embryo yield. Physiologically LH is the hormone directly responsible for the induction of synchronous and complete ovulation, not GnRH. Historically as well as currently, the popular GnRH-FSH-GnRH MOET protocol requires injecting the animal at minimum 10 different times over eight-nine days.

There is no FDA approved veterinary-use LH in the US. For that reason, current, popular superovulation protocols in the US inject GnRH prior to the start of FSH injections to stimulate the endogenous release of LH to cause removal of the dominant follicle. GnRH is injected once again 8-9 days later (after FSH has stimulated growth and maturity of follicles) to initiate the chain of events previously described in paragraph 12 leading to ovulation. Administering exogenous GnRH does not explicitly achieve the end-goal of ovulation, and physiologically GnRH is not directly responsible for causing ovulation, versus administering LH which is the hormone directly responsible for ovulation.

Disadvantageously however, today's gold-standard superovulation protocol is rather inefficient overall due to all known inducing agents having a very short biological half-life of 0.3-5.0 hours which mandates repeated dosing at specific timed intervals throughout a donor's superovulation or superstimulation period. The protocol is inefficient due to repeated dosing requirements (10 injections for MOET, 4-6 for OPU) of donor animals with stimulating and/or releasing/inducing agents on prescribed days at 12-hour intervals over 8-9 days. The protocol can be challenging for the veterinarian or cattle/animal owner to comply with. The current protocol is (a) difficult to achieve 100% compliance because it requires strict attention to multiple details and personnel over 8-9 days at locations normally distant from the MOET or OPU technician; (b) it is time and labor intensive (therefore costly) requiring dedicated on-farm or in-clinic personnel on at least ten occasions at defined times and days to identify, gather, confine, physically restrict and lastly inject the MOET or IVF donor(s); (c) the current protocol subjects donors and personnel to stress and potential physical injury; and (d) the increased donor stress associated with the gathering/handling and injection sequence has been shown to negatively affect the donor's superovulatory response, fertilization rate and milk production. The entire mandated sequence (initial GnRH injection followed by twice daily FSH injections, concluding with a final GnRH injection) is stressful to the donor animals, and subjects personnel and donors to the increasing exposure for physical injury with each sequential requirement to gather, confine, restrain and inject animals often weighing 1500 pounds or more.

Thus, it is desired to provide method and formulations that solve the disadvantages in the prior art for superstimulation and superovulation protocols.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system that solves the disadvantages in the prior art superovulation and superstimulation protocol for bovine animals. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system that solves the disadvantages in the prior art superovulation and superstimulation protocol for caprine, ovine, camelid and other female animals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and formulation for a simplified, single-injection method to induce and control the synchronous growth (superstimulation), and ovulation (superovulation) of multiple ovarian follicles in bovine, caprine, ovine, camelid and other female animals enabling the subsequent collection of (a) multiple oocytes if conducting via in-vitro fertilization, or (b) multiple embryos if conducting via multiple ovulation embryo transfer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sustained, controlled release method and formulation that involves administering a drug formulation in a single administration for inducing and controlling the synchronous growth (superstimulation) and ovulation (superovulation) of multiple ovarian follicles in bovine, ovine, caprine, camelid and other female animals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drug formulation comprising a dual-hormone protein microsphere matrix of animal origin encapsulated by an engineered controlled release agent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drug formulation that induces dominant follicle removal via LH and induces synchronous stimulation and growth of multiple ovarian follicles via FSH.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drug formulation that controls the magnitude and duration of FSH stimulation via engineered controlled release technology agents.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drug formulation that controls the timing of and induces the synchronous ovulation of the now-mature follicles via an engineered controlled release technology LH surge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for administering a protein microsphere matrix to an animal, the protein microsphere matrix including a controlled release agent, wherein the step of administering the protein microsphere matrix to the bovine animal is performed via a single administration, and wherein the protein microsphere matrix induces superstimulation when used for IVF, or superstimulation with accompanying superovulation when used in the animal for MOET.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a formulation that accomplishes via 2 hormones, as a single injection, specifically: removal of the dominant follicle by LH, followed by superstimulation (or superovulation) by FSH, followed by an engineered LH surge resulting in ovulation per a defined time schedule.

It is an object of the present invention for engineered controlled release LH in the formula to have two advantageous effects: (1) dominant follicle removal (DFR) immediately upon injection; and (2) 8-9 hours later, a second engineered dose of LH is released over several hours in increasing “bursts” culminating in and directly causing synchronous ovulation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods and systems that include all of the above advantages and combinations of all the above objects and advantages.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method of inducing superovulation in bovine animals comprising the steps of administering a protein microsphere matrix having a diameter ranging from 50-70 microns to an animal, the protein microsphere matrix including a controlled release agent, wherein the step of administering the protein microsphere matrix to the animal is performed via a single administration, and wherein the protein microsphere matrix induces superovulation in the animal.

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix includes an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

In certain embodiments, the API is FSH and/or LH.

In certain embodiments, the FSH is non-recombinant FSH.

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix comprises at least one polymer.

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix comprises polylactide (PLA) or polylatic co-glycolic acid (PGLA).

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix comprises an organic polymer.

In certain embodiments, at least one polymer includes poly (dl-lactide), lactide/glycolide copolymers, sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB, i.e. SABER platform), and lactide/caprolactone copolymers.

In certain embodiments, the matrix includes an emulsifier. In certain embodiments, the emulsifier is sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB).

In certain embodiments, the matrix includes a solvent that allows it to be administered through a small-gauge needle.

In certain embodiments, the matrix is administered via injection or via an in-situ gel upon intramuscular injection for controlled release of API.

In certain embodiments, superovulation in the bovine animal involves stimulating at least two primordial follicles in the bovine animal to mature simultaneously.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes a prescribed dose of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or luteinizing hormone (LH).

In certain embodiments, the API is a dual hormone treatment.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release LH agent causes immediate regression of the dominant follicle in the animal. It is an object of the present invention where the regression of the dominant follicle begins immediately post administration of the controlled release agent.

In certain embodiments, FSH is provided at a measured, controlled rate during hours 48-144 post administration.

In certain embodiments, FSH is provided at a measured, controlled rate during hours 48-168 post administration.

In certain embodiments, FSH is provided at a measured, controlled rate during hours 40-168 post administration.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes a calculated, pulsatile release of LH between hours 145-182 post administration.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes a calculated, pulsatile release of LH between hours 168-182 post administration.

In certain embodiments, the LH surge causes follicles in the bovine animal to ovulate.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes only a single dose of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes two controlled release doses of LH with each LH dose releasing into the bloodstream days apart.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes only a single dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).

In certain embodiments, the GnRH will indirectly stimulate an endogenous LH surge to culminate in synchronous ovulation.

In certain embodiments, GnRH will indirectly eventually cause DFR.

In certain embodiments, GnRH is encapsulated and included with FSH.

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a drug formulation for inducing superovulation in bovine animals, the formulation comprising a protein microsphere matrix having a diameter ranging from 50-70 microns to an animal; a controlled release agent, wherein the drug formulation induces superovulation of a bovine animal when administered to the animal.

In certain embodiments, the method induces superovulation in female cattle, sheep, goats, camels and other traditionally mono-ovular species of animals other than humans.

In certain embodiments, the formulation is a suspension or is an extended release powder for suspension.

In certain embodiments, the engineered protein microsphere matrix comprises at least one polymer.

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix comprises poly lactic acid (PLA) or poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA).

In certain embodiments, the protein microsphere matrix is suspended in a buffer.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes a prescribed dose of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or luteinizing hormone (LH).

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes only a single dose of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes two controlled release doses of LH with each LH dose releasing into the bloodstream days apart.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release agent includes) only a single dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).

In certain embodiments, the GnRH will indirectly stimulate an endogenous LH surge to culminate in synchronous ovulation.

In certain embodiments, GnRH will indirectly eventually cause DFR.

In certain embodiments, GnRH is encapsulated and included with FSH

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a single controlled released dose of LH hormone that is comprised of multiple controlled LH surges. In certain embodiments, the controlled release dose of LH hormone will lyse the dominant follicle on the front end of the process between hours 0-18 (hour 0 is when the drug is injected), and 6 days later the second controlled release LH-surge will induce/direct ovulation per a desired time schedule. This second controlled release “LH-surge” is characterized by 3-8 increasingly potent LH releases between hours 144-180.

In certain embodiments, the formulation yields FSH, and the FSH extraction process also yields the “by-product” of LH.

In certain embodiments, a single-injection FSH formulation includes controlled release GnRH instead of LH as a component of the single-injection FSH product.

In certain embodiments, the formulation replaces the 2 GnRH injections with a single LH injection.

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method for multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) comprising administering a dual hormone formula comprising a prescribed volume of LH and FSH to a bovine animal, wherein the LH in the dual hormone formula is available immediately to the bloodstream of the bovine animal, while the FSH is available to the bloodstream of the bovine animal via an engineered controlled release.

In certain embodiments, the formula is administered by an injection.

In certain embodiments, the dual hormone formula is for dominant follicle removal.

In certain embodiments, the FSH is released over 4 days after the administration of the dual hormone formula.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release of FSH causes follicles to grow and mature.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release of FSH is followed by a controlled release LH surge resulting in ovulation.

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method for IVF comprising administering a dual hormone formula comprising a prescribed volume of LH and FSH to a bovine animal, wherein the LH is available immediately to the bloodstream of the bovine animal, while the FSH is available to the bloodstream of the bovine animal via an engineered controlled release formulation.

In certain embodiments, the formula is administered by an injection.

In certain embodiments, the dual hormone formula is for dominant follicle removal.

In certain embodiments, the FSH is released over 4 days after the administration of the dual hormone formula.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release of FSH causes follicles to grow and mature.

In certain embodiments, the controlled release of FSH causes superstimulation, but does not result in an LH surge in the bovine animal.

Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a biodegradable controlled release (CR) polymer system to a bovine animal.

In certain embodiments, the system includes an intramuscular (IM) injection of controlled release (CR) microparticles.

In certain embodiments, the CR microparticles are molecules of API (FSH/LH) encapsulated in engineered thicknesses of poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA).

In certain embodiments, as the PGLA layer biodegrades at various engineered times, the API (FSH, or FSH/LH, or FSH/GnRH) is released into the bloodstream.

In certain embodiments, the CR microparticles are then placed into a “liquid polymer matrix solution.”

In certain embodiments, when the encapsulated CR microparticle solution is injected and contacts aqueous body fluids, it forms a solid (an in-situ gel, a “depot”).

In certain embodiments, the release of the individual API encapsulated particles into the bloodstream occurs over time as the polymer in-situ gel matrix depot biodegrades and the API is released from the depot.

In certain embodiments, non-encapsulated API molecules can be “dissolved” into the liquid polymer matrix and enter circulation over time as the polymer in-situ gel degrades.

In certain embodiments, the engineered microparticles allow the API to be released at desired times.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

