University of Pennsylvania

Cornell Research Foundation Inc.

Cornell University

University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Kopf, Gregory S.

Gregory S Kopf

Alexander J Travis

John C Herr

Zhonglin Hao

Pablo E Visconti

This invention describes unique patterns of distribution of ganglioside Gin non-capacitated sperm and demonstrates that the pattern of distribution of Gundergoes changes that can be correlated with the process of capacitation and/or with acrosomal exocytosis. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a method for determining the ability of sperm to respond to capacitation and/or acrosomal exocytosis stimuli. The method comprises determination of distribution pattern for G. The method can be used for both diagnostic and predictive purposes when assessing male reproductive fitness, and can also be used to assess the effects of any agent or environment on sperm including cryoprotective agents and protocols, and contraceptive agents.

Method of determining sperm capacitation

This invention describes unique patterns of distribution of ganglioside Gin non-capacitated sperm and demonstrates that the pattern of distribution of Gundergoes changes that can be correlated with the process of capacitation and/or with acrosomal exocytosis. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a method for determining the ability of sperm to respond to capacitation and/or acrosomal exocytosis stimuli. The method comprises determination of distribution pattern for G. The method can be used for both diagnostic and predictive purposes when assessing male reproductive fitness, and can also be used to assess the effects on sperm of cryoprotective agents and protocols, and contraceptive agents.

The present invention relates to a family of testis specific kinases (the tssk family), nucleic acid sequences encoding those kinases and antibodies against the kinases. The invention is further directed to the use of thise kinases as targets for isolating specific inhibitors or anagonists of tssk kinase activity. Such inhibitors are anticipated to have use as contraceptive agents.

Human testis specific serine/threonine kinase 3

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Leawood, KS, United States of America

Gregory S Kopf