This invention relates to the use of biomarker LRG1 as a biomarker for preeclampsia for use from the first trimester. Elevated levels of leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) can predict risk for the future development of preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The predictive test will comprise the measurement of LRG1 protein, peptide fragment, DNA or RNA, from either blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva or amniotic fluid. The invention provides a method and a test kit to assess the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant woman. The method or test can utilise antibodies to measure levels of LGR1 in a sample.

A method comprising the steps of: 1. optionally subjecting spermatozoa to a treatment step; 2. subjecting the spermatozoa of step 1 to a sex selection step so as to select for either female or male spermatozoa of interest; 3. carrying out a fertilisation step using the spermatazoa of interest of step 2 to produce at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; 4. selectively lysing the at least one oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo of step 3 in the presence of spermatozoa so as to selectively release cellular material from the at least one lysed oocyte, blastocyst, ovum, embryonic cell or embryo; and 5. using the released cellular material in at least one downstream application.

The invention is directed to methods of predicting gestational age of a fetus. The invention is also directed to methods of identifying woman is risk for preterm delivery. In some aspects, the methods include quantitating one or more placental or fetal-tissue specific genes in a biological sample from the woman.

Disclosed is a method for determining a quantitative estimate of the length of time since conception in a female mammalian subject, the method comprising: a) providing a liquid sample suspected of containing hCG; b) measuring, by means of an assay or assay device, an analyte measurement signal, whose value is dependent upon the level of hCG; c) comparing the measured signal value to an analyte threshold, wherein said analyte threshold corresponds to a time since conception; d) providing an quantitative estimate of the length of time since conception based upon the comparison in step (c).

Provided are systems and methods for assessing the presence or risk of obstetrical complications, particularly those related to an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance. Also provided are methods of treating an angiogenic and anti-angiogenic imbalance with water-soluble statins, such as pravastatin.

The present application relates to a method for determining a risk of preterm birth and/or low birth weight of a pregnant female comprising measuring a galectin-3 (Gal-3) level in a blood, plasma, or serum sample obtained from the pregnant female, or a kit or marker which may be used in the method. The present application also relates to a medicament effective to reduce a risk of preterm birth and/or low birth weight, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the medicament, or a method for reducing a risk of preterm birth and/or low birth weight of a pregnant female comprising administering the medicament or the pharmaceutical composition to the pregnant female.

Devices and kits for detecting molecular targets involved in the onset of parturition are presented, as are methods of using the same. The devices and kits include one or more associators specific for molecular targets, such as microRNAs and proteins and peptide fragments thereof. The associators, such as aptamers or antibodies, bind their targets, when such targets are present in a fluid sample from a pregnant woman, to produce a detectable signal. The signal may be produced in a lateral flow device.

Hedgehog pathway modulators, such as hedgehog pathway activators or inhibitors, and the use of such modulators to modulate FSH signaling are described.

Methods, kits and compounds are provided that relate to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of preeclampsia.

Devices based on semi-quantitative “sandwich” lateral flow immunoassay and methods of using the devices are provided to determine the presence and estimate the quantity of Flt-1 protein found in the plasma, serum, whole blood, saliva, urine or another bodily fluid of pregnant women in order to predict or screen for the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women. Assays based on the devices are also provided.