Abstract: The present invention relates to a macromolecule of proteinaceous nature which activates sperm motility, a process for the preparation thereof by purification of the macromolecule from extracellular fluids, pharmaceutical preparations containing the macromolecule and antibodies directed against determinants specific to the macromolecule and the use thereof as a method to assay the potential fertility of sperm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of homogeneous immunoassay of a ligand in a liquid test sample which comprises: a)incubating a mixture of (1) the liquid test sample; (1i) where the ligand under assay has only one epitope, a covalent conjugate of the ligand with any mono- or poly-epitope molecule having at least one epitope distinct from the epitope of the ligand; (2) a labile enzyme; (3) a first bispecific monoclonal antibody protecting the activity of the encyme through binding to a first epitope on the encyme and capable of binding the ligand under assay; and (4) a second bispecific monoclonal antibody capable of bonding said enzyme and a second distinct epitope on the ligand under assay or an epitope of the said covalent conjugate; whereby a quaternary immunocomplex is formed; b) after incubation, subjecting the mixture to conditions whereby any enzyme not present in such a quaternary immunocomplex is inactivated; and c) determining the amount of detectable encyme, the determination being related to the am

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing scattering of light emerging from an optical edge of an optical waveguide. According to the invention, the optical edge is maintained in intimate contact with an index matching substance which itself also forms or intimately contacts a further optical component. The invention also relates to a disposable holder suitable for use in the method.

Abstract: Described are new glycoprotein hormones capable of competing with natural hormones for the normal receptor binding sites but substantially incapable of effecting post receptor activities. The glycoprotein hormones of the present invention have had specific (rather than all) oligosaccharide chains removed so as to effectively diminish biologic activity while not significantly reducing plasma half-life, thus improving the molecules effectiveness as an antagonist compared with conventionally-produced molecules. The preferred glycoprotein hormones are ideally obtained by site-directed mutagenesis to selectively deglycosylate the protein. Also described are therapeutic treatments comprising the administration of the recombinant glycoprotein hormones of the present invention as hormone antagonists.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in optical methods of assay. The device comprises an optical structure comprising a dielectric substrate (2) and a thin film waveguide (5), between which is interposed a buffer layer (4). The waveguide carries a layer (10) of reagent suitable for a desired assay. The invention also relates to methods of using the device in an assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a macromolecule of proteinaceous nature which activates sperm motility, a process for the preparation thereof by purification of the macromolecule from extracellular fluids, pharmaceutical preparations containing the macromolecule and antibodies directed against determinants specific to the macromolecule and the use thereof as a method to assay the potential fertility of sperm.

Abstract: Normally transcriptionally silent genes in a cell line or microorganism may be activated for expression by inserting a DNA regulatory element which is capable of promoting the expression of a normally expressed gene product in that cell or which is promiscuous, the regulatory element being inserted so as to be operatively linked with the normally silent gene in question. The insertion is accomplished by means of homologous recombination by creating a DNA construct including a segment having a DNA segment of the normally silent gene (targeting DNA) and the DNA regulatory element to induce gene transcription. The technique is also used to modify the expression characteristics of any endogenous gene of a given cell line or microorganism.

Abstract: A therapy kit for inducing human ovulation is disclosed. The kit comprises, in separate containers, at least two recombinant FSH isoforms having significantly different plasma half-lives. The FSH isoforms are administered sequentially, beginning with the isoform having the longer plasma half-life.

Abstract: Described are new glycoprotein hormones capable of competing with natural hormones for the normal receptor binding sites but substantially incapable of effecting post receptor activities. The glycoprotein hormones of the present invention have had specific (rather than all) oligosaccharide chains removed so as to effectively diminish biologic activity while not significantly reducing plasma half-life, thus improving the molecules effectiveness as an antagonist compared with conventionally-produced molecules. The preferred glycoprotein hormones are ideally obtained by site-directed mutagenesis to selectively deglycosylate the protein. Also described are therapeutic treatments comprising the administration of the recombinant glycoprotein hormones of the present invention as hormone antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling gonadotropin levels in mammals which comprises administering a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist in an amount and frequency effective to substantially suppress endogenous gonadotropin levels in said mammal and administering gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in an amount and frequency effective to induce secretion of gonadotropins to maintain a desired level in said mammal. This method is especially useful for treating mammals, particularly women, who suffer from polycystic ovarian disease or hyperandrogenism, or who otherwise have abnormally high levels of luteinizing hormone which it is desired to reduce to approximately normal levels. The method of this invention is particularly advantageous for inducing ovulation in mammals, particularly women, that have the above-mentioned problems. The preferred GnRH antagonists for use in the present invention include Antide and its analogs, which exhibit long term gonadotropin suppression.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an infertile patient is likely to benefit from combined GH/gonadotropin or GHRH/gonadotropin therapy comprising the steps of (1) administering a predetermined dose of clonidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof to the patient; (2) monitoring the blood level of GH following the administration of clonidine or a derivative thereof; and (3) detecting whether the peak blood level of GH is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of optical analysis which can advantageously be used in conjunction with optical assay techniques, particularly those wherein evanescent signals are to be analysed. The method makes use of the properties of an optical structure (described herein) which allows easy angular discrimination of optical signals emerging from a test object. The invention also relates to apparatus for use in said methods.

Abstract: The cloning and characterization of a newly isolated gene, referred to as saf (secondary metabolism activation factor) is disclosed. This gene encodes a new amino acid polypeptide, referred to as the SAF polypeptide, which directly or indirectly modulates the expression of extracellular enzymes in Steptomyces. DNA units or fragments which encode the SAF polypeptide are also disclosed, as are vectors containing said DNA, host organisms transformed with such vectors, and processes for preparing extracellular enzymes or heterologous polypeptides by culturing such host organisms.

Abstract: Obese patients may be effectively treated by cojointly administering an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, such as clonidine, and a growth hormone releasing peptide, such as GHRH, to restore or substantially enhance growth hormone release in such patients.

Abstract: The cloning and characterization of a newly isolated gene, referred to as saf (secondary metabolism activation factor) is disclosed. This gene encodes a new amino acid polypeptide, referred to as the SAF polypeptide, which directly or indirectly modulates the expression of extracellular enzymes in Streptomyces. DNA units or fragments which encode the SAF polypeptides are also disclosed, as are vectors containing said DNA, host organisms transformed with such vectors, and processes for preparing extracellular enzymes or heterologous polypeptides by culturing such host organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dual analyte enzyme immunoassays for assaying two antigens in a single liquid sample wherein the two immunoreactions are carried out simultaneously and wherein subsequently the two enzyme reactions occur simultaneously. Suitable enzyme/substrate pairs are beta-galactosidase/nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactoside (p- an/or o-) and alkaline phosphatase/phenolphthalein monophosphate.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods for inducing human ovulation by administering sequentially a plurality of recombinant FSH preparations, each of which have a distinguishable plasma half-life.

Abstract: Waveguides suitable for use in optical assay techniques are described, as well as methods of assay employing such waveguides. The waveguide comprises an input grating structure to couple excitation radiation into the waveguide, a reflecting grating structure to reflect the excitation radiation propagating within the waveguide, and a transduction region located between the two grating structures, whereby during use the excitation radiation traverses the transduction region at least twice.