Abstract: A novel method of determining the onset of the fertile period of a human female is disclosed comprising the step of monitoring the axillary secretions of said female during the course of her menstrual cycle to determine variations in the concentration of androstenol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. A first significant increase in the concentration of either of those compounds following the cessation of menses is indicative of the onset of the fertile period. In each case, a follicular phase peak occurs which exceeds by at least twice the concentration of those compounds present at any other time during the menstrual cycle. As a result, the monitoring of these compounds may act as reliable indicators predicting the occurrence of ovulation in five to seven days, and/or indicating the onset of the fertile period at a time when appropriate contraceptive measures can still be taken to avoid pregnancy or sexual intercourse can promote fertility.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the fertility of a male mammal. A semen sample is obtained from the individual to be tested. The sperm is separated from the seminal plasma of the semen sample. At least one test portion and a control portion of the sperm are isolated. The sperm portions are incubated, the test portion being exposed to a glycosaminoglycan in a concentration effective to induce an acrosome reaction in sperm. A representative sample of incubated sperm from each portion is then counted by means of observation by light microscopy to measure the increase in acrosome reaction in the test portions as compared to the control portion. A kit is provided for the convenient performance of the method. The kit includes a supply of sterile liquid culture medium, sterile closable culture vessels, and a supply of selected, sterile GAG meterable substantially aseptically in known amounts into each culture vessel used as a test vessel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether or not preterm or end-term labor is imminent which is based upon the relative elevation of the level of eosinophil major basic protein (MBP). The level of MBP in a sample of a physiological fluid of a pregnant woman is measured and the level is compared to a predetermined level indicative of the plateau gestational level of the protein.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the fertility of a test male mammal relative to the fertility of a control male mammal. The method includes the steps of collecting samples of semen from the test male and the control male. The binding affinity of a selected glycosaminoglycan to the sperm of the semen samples is measured by a selected means for measuring binding affinities. The fertility of the test male may be evaluated as higher or lower than that of the control male by the degree to which the binding affinity of the glycosaminoglycan to its sperm is higher or lower than the binding affinity of the glycosaminoglycan to the sperm of the control male.

Abstract: Method for determining the onset of the fertile period of a human female comprising the step of monitoring the axillary secretions of said female during the course of her menstrual cycle to determine variations in the concentration of androstenol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. A first significant increase in the concentration of either of those compounds following the cessation of menses is indicative of the onset of the fertile period. In each case, a follicular phase peak occurs which exceeds by at least twice the concentration of those compounds present at any other time during the menstrual cycle. As a result, the monitoring of these compounds may act as reliable indicators predicting the occurrence of ovulation in five to seven days, and/or indicating the onset of the fertile period at a time when appropriate contraceptive measures can still be taken to avoid pregnancy or sexual intercourse can promote fertility.

Abstract: A method for determining the reproductive status of mammals involves the steps of obtaining at periodic time intervals mucus samples from the cervix of a mammal, obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the samples using a narrow line nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, determining the nuclear magnetic resonance ratios from the spectra on the basis of the relationship ##EQU1## and thereafter evaluating the reproductive status of the mammal from such ratios.