Determination of endometrial receptivity toward embryo implantation
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorBruce Lessey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods are provided for detecting receptivity of mammalian endometrium to embryo implantation comprising obtaining a sample of the endometrium, contacting the endometrium with a monoclonal antibody for .beta..sub.3 integrin and detecting .beta..sub.3 integrin in the endometrium. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing infertility in a mammal and methods of detecting the window of embryo implantation in endometrium. Methods of in vitro fertilization, methods of preventing embryo implantation and a method of monitoring endometrial maturation are also within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is also directed to contraceptives. Diagnostic kits useful in the practice of the methods of the invention are also provided.
Claims32
A method for detecting receptivity of endometrium to embryo implantation comprising:
- a. obtaining a sample of said endometrium,
- b. contacting said sample with a monoclonal antibody specific for .beta..sub.3 integrin,
- c. detecting the presence or absence of .beta..sub.3 in said sample, and
- d. correlating the presence of .beta..sub.3 with endometrial receptivity.
A method for diagnosing infertility in a mammal comprising:
- a. obtaining a sample of endometrium from said mammal,
- b. contacting said sample with a monoclonal antibody specific for .beta..sub.3 integrin,
- c. detecting the expression of .beta..sub.3 in said sample,
- d. repeating steps a.-c. with samples of said endometrium at a plurality of stages of the menstrual cycle, and
- e. correlating the lack of .beta..sub.3 expression with infertility.
A method of detecting the window of embryo implantation in endometrium comprising:
- a. obtaining a sample of endometrium,
- b. contacting said sample of endometrium with a monoclonal antibody specific for .beta..sub.3 integrin,
- c. detecting the presence or absence of .beta..sub.3 in said sample,
- d. repeating steps a.-c. with samples of endometrium at a plurality of stages of the menstrual cycle, and
- e. correlating the presence of .beta..sub.3 with the window of embryo implantation.
A method of monitoring endometrial maturation in a mammal comprising:
- a. obtaining a sample of the endometrium,
- b. contacting said sample with a monoclonal antibody specific for .beta..sub.3 integrin,
- c. detecting the appearance of .beta..sub.3 in said sample,
- d. repeating steps a.-c. with samples of endometrium at a plurality of stages of the endometrial cycle, and
- e. correlating the appearance of .beta..sub.3 integrin with endometrial maturation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.