Adherent entities and uses therefor
AssigneeQueensland University of Technology
InventorsChristine Knox, Peter Timms
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to reproductive function-modulating organisms especially of the genera Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma, which adhere more strongly to spermatozoa than other organisms and which correlate with the presence or risk of a condition selected from male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome or an adverse assisted reproductive technology outcome. More particularly, the invention is directed to the detection of these reproductive function-modulating organisms (also referred to herein as adherovars), and to various therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for enhancing or otherwise improving inter alia fertility and especially male fertility.
Claims78
A method for detecting the presence of a reproductive function-modulating organism, comprising detecting an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
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A method for detecting an organism associated with at least one of male infertility and an increased risk of male infertility, comprising detecting an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and the risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an organism associated with at least one of an adverse pregnancy outcome and an increased risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, comprising detecting an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and the risk of the adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an organism associated with at least one of an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome and an increased risk of an adverse ART outcome, comprising detecting an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and the risk of the adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting at least one of a presence and diagnosing a risk of infertility in a male patient, comprising detecting in a sperm sample obtained from the patient an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of the presence and the risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting at least one of a presence and diagnosing a risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome in a patient, comprising detecting an organism in a sperm sample obtained from a sperm donor of the patient, wherein the organism is capable of adhering to sperm and correlates with at least one of the presence and the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting at least one of a presence and diagnosing a risk of an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, comprising detecting the presence of an organism in a sperm sample used for the ART, wherein the organism is capable of adhering to sperm and correlates with at least one of the presence and the risk of an adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting at least one of a presence of and diagnosing a risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome in a patient, comprising detecting an organism in a biological sample obtained from the patient, wherein the organism is capable of adhering to sperm and correlates with at least one of the presence and the risk of the condition, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for diagnosing a higher risk of infertility in a male patient, comprising detecting in a biological sample obtained from the patient an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with a higher risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for diagnosis of a higher risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome in a patient, comprising detecting an ureaplasma in a biological sample obtained from a sperm donor of the patient, wherein the organism is capable of adhering to sperm and correlates with a higher risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for diagnosis of a higher risk of an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome using sperm of a patient, comprising detecting an organism in a biological sample obtained from the patient, wherein the organism is capable of adhering to sperm and correlates with a higher risk of an adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
An isolated adhesin, wherein the adhesin is obtainable from an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an organism associated with at least one of male infertility and with an increased risk of male infertility, comprising interrogating a microbial sample for the presence of a gene encoding at least one of an adhesin and an expression product of the gene, wherein the adhesin is expressed by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an organism associated with at least one of male infertility and an increased risk of male infertility, comprising interrogating a microbial sample for the presence of at least one of a gene encoding an adhesin and an expression product of the gene, wherein the at least one of the adhesin and the expression product is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an ureaplasma associated with at least one of an adverse pregnancy outcome and an increased risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, comprising interrogating a microbial sample for at least one of a presence of a gene encoding an adhesin and an expression product of the gene, wherein at least one of the adhesin and the expression product is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of the presence and risk of the adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for detecting an ureaplasma associated with at least one of an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome and an increased risk of an adverse ART outcome, comprising interrogating a microbial sample for a presence of at least one of a gene encoding an adhesin and an expression product of the gene, wherein at least one of the adhesin and the expression product is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of the adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
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An antigen-binding molecule that is immuno-interactive with an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for prognostic assessment of at least one of male infertility, adverse pregnancy outcome and adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome in a patient, comprising detecting in a biological sample obtained from the patient a gene encoding at least one of an adhesin and an expression product of the gene, wherein the adhesin is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
A method for affecting an adhesin selected from the group consisting of masking an adhesin and for otherwise interfering with the binding of the adhesin to sperm, wherein the adhesin is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, the method comprising contacting the adhesin with an antigen-binding molecule that is immuno-interactive with the adhesin.
A composition for improving male fertility, comprising an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A composition for enhancing propensity for a favorable pregnancy outcome, comprising an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A composition for enhancing propensity for a favorable assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, comprising an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of an adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for at least one of a treatment and prophylaxis of male infertility, comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, optionally in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for at least one of a treatment and prophylaxis of male infertility, comprising administering to the sperm of a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of male infertility, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, optionally in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for enhancing propensity for a favorable pregnancy outcome in a patient, comprising administering to a sperm donor of the patient an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample optionally in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for enhancing propensity for a favorable pregnancy outcome in a patient, comprising administering to the sperm of the patient's sperm donor an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, optionally in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for enhancing propensity for a favorable assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome in a patient, comprising administering to the sperm of the patient's sperm donor an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence or risk of an adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample optionally in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method for enhancing propensity for a favorable assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome in a patient, comprising administering to the sperm of the patient's sperm donor an effective amount of an agent that reduces at least one of a level and functional activity of an adhesin that is expressible by an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of an adverse ART outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample.
An immunopotentiating composition for eliciting production of an element that specifically binds to an organism which is capable of adhering to sperm and which correlates with at least one of a presence and risk of a condition selected from the group consisting of male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome and an adverse assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome, wherein the correlation is made if the organism is capable of remaining adherent to sperm after washing a sample comprising organism-positive sperm to permit one of removal and separation of non-sperm substances from the sample, the composition comprising at least one of a proteinaceous molecule that is an isolated adhesin of the organism and a vector including a polynucleotide encoding the proteinaceous molecule and operably linked to a regulatory polynucleotide, wherein the composition optionally further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.