Identification of genes or polypeptides the expression of which correlates to fertility, ovarian function and/or fetal/newborn viability

Abstract

A genetic means of determining whether a female subject produces 'pregnancy competent' oocytes is provided. The means comprises detecting the level of expression of one or more genes that are expressed at characteristic levels (upregulated or downregulated) in cumulus cells derived from pregnancy competent oocytes. This characteristic gene expression level, or pattern referred to herein as the 'pregnancy signature', also can be used to identify subjects with underlying conditions that impair or prevent the development of a viable pregnancy, e.g., pre-menopausal condition, other hormonal dysfunction, ovarian dysfunction, ovarian cyst, cancer or other cell proliferation disorder, autoimmune disease and the like. Microarrays containing “pregnancy signature” genes or corresponding polypeptides provide another preferred aspect of the invention. Still further, the subject invention can be used to derive animal models, e.g., non-human primate animal models, for the evaluation of the efficacy of putative female fertility treatments.