Methods for predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by HCG assay

A method for monitoring effectiveness of an infertility treatment comprising:

• (a) obtaining a first sample from a subject undergoing the infertility treatment;
• (b) contacting the first sample with a capture antibody which specifically binds to the early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of Human chorionic gonadotropin (EPMI-hCG), which isoform is recognized by the antibody produced by hybridoma cell line B152 (ATCC Designation No. HB-12467) under conditions permitting formation of a complex between the capture antibody and EPMI-hCG in the first sample;
• (c) measuring the amount of complexes formed in step (b), thereby determining the amount of EPMI-hCG in the first sample;
• (d) obtaining a second sample from the subject after a period of time;
• (e) contacting the second sample with the capture antibody under conditions permitting formation of a complex between the capture antibody and EPMI-hCG in the second sample;
• (f) measuring the amount of complexes formed in step (e), thereby determining the amount of EPMI-hCG in the second sample;
• (g) comparing the amount of EPMI-hCG determined in step (c) with the amount determined in step (f);
• (h) determining that the infertility treatment is effective if the amount determined in step (f) is higher than that determined in step (c);
• or determining that the infertility treatment is ineffective if the amount determined in step (f) is not higher than that determined in step (c) .