Aspenbio Pharma, Inc.

University of Wyoming

Aspenbio, Inc.

Diane Newman

Mark Colgin

Jay W Roth

Roger Hurst

Cathy Landmann

Richard G Donnelly

John F Bealer

Thomas R Hansen

Kathleen Jeanette Austin

Kevin McSweeney

Kevin Mcsweeney

Mark A Colgin

This invention provides methods and kits for maintaining pregnancy in mammals. Pregnancy is maintained by administration of effective amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH) or chorionic gonadotropin (CG). Both LH and CG may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with growth hormone (GH) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Hormones are administered on about Day 4 to about Day 7 following insemination. Effective amounts of LH range from about 10 micrograms to about 25 milligrams, preferably about 2 to about 8 mg, and of CG range from about 100 IU (international units) to about 2000 IU. Mammals treatable by the methods of this invention include ungulates and related mammals, including bovines. Kits provided by this invention include effective amounts of one or more hormones, a device for administering the hormone(s) and instructions. This invention also provides methods for treating follicular cysts and for synchronizing ovulation in mammals using LH.

Methods and kits for maintaining pregnancy, treating follicular cysts, and synchronizing ovulation using luteinizing hormone

This invention provides methods and compositions for testing for pregnancy and non-pregnancy in ungulates and non-hoofed ruminates. The tests provided by this invention are useful during a time that coincides with the estrus cycle during which breeding occurs or the first estrus cycle after breeding of a non-pregnant animal. The tests provided by this invention are useful in estrus and ovulation synchronization programs, with pregnancy testing useful at a time allowing for resynchronization of non-pregnant animals within the first estrus cycle. The tests provided by this invention assay for the presence, absence, or level of a selected IFN-&#x3c4;-induced protein in a sample from a female animal. The tests of this invention are useful for testing cells, blood, plasma, serum, cells, milk, nasal secretions, ocular secretions, vaginal secretions, urine, and saliva samples. The tests provided by this invention are immunoassays. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies useful in such tests, as well as methods of making such antibodies and hybridoma cell lines, are provided. Devices for performing such tests, methods of using such devices, and methods of making such devices are provided. Kits containing such devices are also provided. This invention provides a method for determining readiness for breeding. This invention provides a method for resynchronizing breeding with breeding cycle times of one estrus cycle or shorter. This invention also provides a method for breeding by forcing estrus and artificial insemination by appointment.

Pregnancy detection

This invention provides bovine pregnancy test methods and devices. The test is also suitable for other ruminant and/or ungulate animals. Antigens from Group A (early pregnancy antigens), and/or Group B (mid-pregnancy antigens), and Group C (early, mid- and late pregnancy antigens) are detected in a fluid from the animal, and pregnancy is reliably determined. The pregnancy assays of this invention are preferably carried out using immunoassay devices which provide immediate results in the field.

Bovine pregnancy test

A method is provided for diagnosing appendicitis in a patient that includes identifying at least one symptom of appendicitis in the patient and identifying the presence of at least one molecule differentially associated with appendicitis in a fluid or tissue sample of said patient. MRP-8/14 and haptoglobin are examples of molecules differentially associated with appendicitis. Devices and kits for performing the appendicitis assays of this invention are also provided. In one embodiment, the device is in a flow-through immunoassay format for testing blood samples. Further, methods for screening for molecules differentially associated with appendicitis are provided that include the use of samples from patients being operated on for suspected appendicitis.

Methods and devices for diagnosis of appendicitis

Improved methods are provided for purifying selected carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family member proteins. Disclosed method steps include cation-exchange chromatography below pH 4.0 and size-exclusion chromatography, and do not include use of perchloric acid or antibody affinity steps. The resulting purified proteins are of at least 90% purity, substantially free of cross-reacting antigens, substantially free of CA19-9, substantially free of endotoxins, and substantially free of antibodies. Purities of greater than 98% have been achieved. Purified CEA family member proteins used as reference standards, in pharmaceutical carriers, and formulated as vaccines are disclosed. The purification, compositions, and use of CEA family member proteins containing altered immunogenic epitopes are also disclosed.

Methods for purifying selected CEA family member proteins

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Littleton, CO, United States of America

Diane Newman