Sergio C Oehninger

7037663, May 2, 2006

Apr 9, 2001

09/829073

Ke-Wen Dong - Chesapeake VA, US
Sergio C. Oehninger - Norfolk VA, US
William E. Gibbons - Norfolk VA, US

Eastern Virginia Medical School - Norfolk VA

G01N 33/53

435 71, 435 721, 435 792, 436501

The present invention provides a method to determine sperm activity comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an appropriate concentration of human zona pellucida protein 3 with an appropriate amount of sperm under conditions permitting the formation of a complex between the human zona pellucida protein 3 and the sperm; and (b) determining the complex formed. The invention further provides a method to determine sperm activity comprising the steps of (a) contacting an appropriate concentration of human zona pellucida protein 3 with an appropriate amount of sperm under conditions permitting an acrosome reaction to occur; and (b) determining the extent of the acrosome reaction. Finally, this invention provides a diagnosis kit for sperm activity comprising three (3) compartments with (a) an appropriate amount of human zona pellucida protein 3; (b) the reagents used for establishing the conditions for allowing the binding of sperm; and (c) the reagents used for establishing the conditions for allowing an acrosome reaction.

7148021, Dec 12, 2006

Aug 1, 2002

10/209664

Ting-Fung Chi - Yorktown VA, US
Zhiyong Lin - Norfolk VA, US
Ke-Wen Dong - Chesapeake VA, US
Ming-I Hsu - Virginia Beach VA, US
Heming Zheng - Norfolk VA, US
Sergio C. Oehninger - Norfolk VA, US
William E. Gibbons - Norfolk VA, US

Eastern Virginia Meical School - Norfolk VA
Trinity Biomedical Technology Corporation - Norfolk VA

G01N 33/53

435 71, 514 8, 530350

Reagents, methods, and kits are described that are useful for fertility testing and that in many cases provides much faster, convenient and rapid determination of male infertility. The reagents described include properly glycosylated human ZP3, ZP2, ZP1, glycosylated peptides thereof, fusion proteins such as green fluorescent protein—ZP3, non-covalent complexes of ZP2 with ZP3, fusion protein of ZP2–ZP3, solid phase materials such as agarose beads coated with binding agents such as ZP3, and other artificial zona. Methods are provided that, in many cases convert a complex biological event into a well defined biochemical binding event based on one or more of the reagents. Such methods are much easier to set up and monitor, allowing more convenient and inexpensive diagnostic testing for male fertility. The acrosome reaction is detected in other embodiments by virtue of quantitating one or more released substances. Kits are further provided that contain one or more reagents useful for testing at a diagnostic laboratory or other facility.

20020172982, Nov 21, 2002

Feb 19, 1999

09/252828

KE-WEN DONG - CHESAPEAK VA, US
SERGIO OEHNINGER - NORFOLK VA, US
WILLIAM E. GIBBONS - NORFOLK VA, US

G01N033/567

435/007210

The invention relates to methods for producing recombinant human zona pellucida protein (“rhZP3”) and glycosylated peptide having biological activity of binding to human spermatozoa. A human ovarian cell line is used to produce rhZPhaving a glycosylation pattern required for full biological activity. Methods of determining useful peptides with binding activity for human sperm and their syntheses, as well as using such peptides and proteins in therapeutics and diagnostics are discussed.

20090215085, Aug 27, 2009

Jan 29, 2007

12/162471

Sergio C. Oehninger - Norfolk VA, US
O. John Semmes - Newport News VA, US
Lisa H. Cazares - Chesapeake VA, US
Silvina Bocca - Norfolk VA, US

Eastern Virginia Medical School - Norfolk VA

G01N 33/53
C12Q 1/02
C12M 1/00
B01D 59/44

435 721, 435 29, 4352872, 250282

The present invention discloses biomarkers and biomarker combinations that have prognostic value as predictors of the developmental potential of individual IVF-derived human embryos. In particular, the biomarkers of this invention are useful to classify an embryo with implantation competence after uterine transfer or implantation incompetence. In addition, the biomarkers can be detected by non-invasive methods that do not harm the developing embryo. Also disclosed are kits for the prediction of developmental potential that detect the biomarkers of the invention, as well as methods using a plurality of classifiers to make a probable diagnosis of developmental potential.