This disclosure provides a method for determining male fertility status. The method comprises determining G.sub.M1 distribution patterns following induced sperm capacitation, identifying the frequency of distribution of various patterns, and determining if the frequency distribution of certain G.sub.M1 patterns in response to induced capacitation is altered. Based on the change in the frequency distribution patterns of certain patterns in response to induced capacitation, alone or in combination with other sperm attributes, male fertility status can be identified.

A method of processing of a biological sample containing multiple metabolites is described The method comprising the steps of pre-treating the biological sample with a metabolite extraction solvent to provide a pre-treated sample, separating a first aliquot of the pretreated sample by reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) to provide a first eluent containing resolved hydrophobic metabolites, and separating a second aliquot of the pre-treated sample by hydrophilic interaction liquid interaction chromatography (HILIC) to provide a second eluent containing resolved hydrophilic metabolites. The first and second eluents are assayed using targeted tandem mass spectroscopy operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Each liquid chromatography step (LC) is directly hyphenated with the tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) into a single LC-MS/MS analysis. The extraction solvent typically comprises methanol, isopropanol and an acetate buffer.

The invention relates to a strain of the Lactobacillus salivarius species deposited in the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) with accession number 5713 or a mutant thereof for use in the treatment and/or prevention of infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss in a female subject. Additionally, the invention relates to an in vitro monitoring method for monitoring the effect of a treatment for infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss in a female subject with a strain of the Lactobacillus salivarius species deposited in the CECT with accession number 5713 or a mutant thereof.

Provided are an analytical method for providing information necessary for diagnosing recurrent pregnancy loss, comprising measuring an expression level of HtrA4 protein or an expression level of a gene encoding the same in a subject’s sample, and a kit for diagnosing recurrent pregnancy loss, comprising a molecule capable of measuring an expression level of HtrA4 protein or an expression level of a gene encoding the same

The present disclosure relates to methods for generating blood protein profiles from whole blood, red blood cell enriched blood samples, or red blood cell components. The methods involve the comparison of protein levels before and after incubation with protease inhibitors, or the comparison of protein levels after incubation in the presence and absence of protease inhibitors. The protein profiles are used for monitoring and diagnosing diseases and disorders in subjects including colorectal cancer and preeclampsia.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an animal model of preterm birth and an animal model of preterm birth produced by the method. The animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and symptoms of preterm birth induced by cervical injury. The mortality rate of the animal model according to the present invention is low until preterm birth despite its induced preterm birth. In addition, the animal model of the present invention is produced in a higher yield than any other existing model. Furthermore, the preterm birth of the animal model according to the present invention is induced at a desired time point. Due to these advantages, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to investigate the causes and mechanisms of preterm birth. The mortality rate of premature neonates born from the animal model of the present invention is considerably low and the premature neonates are immature. Therefore, the animal model of the present invention can be effectively applied to studies on complications of premature neonates.

The invention relates to allergic disease, to the development of allergic disease in infants, to determining the likelihood of development of allergic disease in infants and to minimizing the likelihood of development of allergic disease in infants.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to compositions and methods useful for assessing fertilization competency in male and female gametes. In some embodiments, methods, kits, and compositions for identifying, selecting, and functionally evaluating fertilization competent sperm cells are provided, wherein the methods, kits, and compositions employ a reagent that selectively binds phosphatidylserine (PS).

The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying autism and autism spectrum disorders in humans. The invention also includes compositions and methods for identifying unique blood-based gene expression profiles in children with regressive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ileocolitis.

Biomarkers and combinations thereof for determining risk and onset of preeclampsia, methods for their use and for diagnosis, prediction of risk, management, and treatment of preeclampsia in pregnant human females are provided.