Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods for generating a subpopulation of spermatozoa enriched for capacitated spermatozoa, by exposure of a population of spermatozoa to a suitable temperature gradient, and retrieving the enriched subpopulation of spermatozoa for further applications, such as, for diagnosis or fertility treatments.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of human mononuclear phagocytic leukocytes comprises incubating monocytes isolated from a blood sample of an individual and skin segments from the same individual, removing the dermis segments from the incubation mixture and sedimenting the obtained activated mononuclear phagocytic leukocytes by centrifugation, washing and resuspending the activated phagocytic leukocytes in the medium, and evaluating the culture for its suitability for human administration. Cellular therapy products are made from the obtained cultures and are useful for promoting axonal regeneration in the CNS, wound healing and treatment of myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating injury to or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. In one embodiment, treatment is effected by administering activated T cells that recognize an antigen of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system. In another embodiment, treatment involves administering Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration in the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The activated T cells, which have been activated by the presence of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide, can be administered alone or in combination with Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemotactic factors for human spermatozoa that are purifiable from human follicular fluid. The factors are of peptidic and hydrophilic nature and have, one, a molecular size of about 13 kDa and, the other, an apparent molecular size smaller than 1.3 kDa, as determined by high pressure gel filtration. They are for use in procedures related to human fertilization, such as in various types of assisted fertilization, particularly artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, micromanipulation and direct microinjection of sperm into oocytes.