Methods and compositions to improve germ cell and embryo survival and function
AssigneeAdvanced Reproduction Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJoanna E. Ellington, Sylvia Adams Oliver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sperm, oocyte, and embryo survival and function is improved in vivo or in vitro by the use of a polysaccharide containing arabinose, galactose and/or hexuronic acid. In particular, a nonspermicidal lubricant containing such a polysaccharide (e.g., gum arabic, pectin, or galacturonic acid) increases the fertilization potential of the sperm during coitus, artificial insemination or sperm collection. Similarly, a freezing medium containing a polysaccharide containing arabinose, galactose and/or hexuronic acid enhances sperm, oocyte, or embryo viability.
Claims16
A method for isolation of sperm with improved function, comprising:
- (a) contacting a sample containing sperm with a solution comprising a hexuronic acid monomer or with a solution comprising a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, to form a mixture;
- and
- (b) subjecting the mixture in step (a) to a condition sufficient to separate sperm from the sample, thereby isolating sperm with improved function.
A method for washing sperm to obtain sperm with improved function, comprising contacting a sample containing sperm with a solution comprising a hexuronic acid monomer or with a solution comprising a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, and removing the solution, thereby obtaining, sperm with improved function.
A method for extending sperm to obtain sperm with improved function, comprising contracting a sample containing sperm with a solution comprising a hexuronic acid monomer or with a solution comprising a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, thereby obtaining sperm with improved function.
A sperm wash medium comprising a solution comprising a balanced salt solution and a hexuronic acid monomer or a solution comprising a balanced salt solution and a polymer wherein said polymer comprises a hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, at a concentration sufficient to improve sperm function.
A sperm isolation medium for isolation of sperm by centrifugation, comprising a solution comprising a density gradient material and a hexuronic acid monomer or a solution comprising a density gradient material and a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose.
A sperm isolation medium for the isolation of sperm by swim-up method, comprising a solution comprising a macromolecule and a hexuronic acid monomer or a solution comprising a macromolecule and a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose.
An extending or culturing medium comprising a solution comprising a balanced salt solution and a hexuronic acid monomer or a solution comprising a balanced salt solution and a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, at a concentration sufficient to improve sperm, oocyte, embryo, or embryonic stem cell (ESC) function.
A method for reducing loss of functional sperm during storage of sperm in a refrigerated, frozen or vitrified state, comprising the steps of:
- (a) combining a hexuronic acid monomer, or combining a polymer wherein said polymer comprises hexuronic acid and arabinose or galactose or both arabinose and galactose, with a sample containing sperm, wherein said hexuronic acid monomer or said polymer is in an amount effective to reduce said loss;
- and
- (b) storing said sample in a refrigerated, frozen or vitrified state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.