Abstract: The invention relates to methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis in an animal, the methods comprising determining the presence or absence of, or an immune response to a group of antigens comprising (i) the group consisting of Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, MPB83 antigen, and ESAT 6 antigen; or (ii) at least seven of the antigens of the group consisting of Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, MPB83 antigen, ESAT 6 antigen, CFP10 antigen, ? crystalline 2 antigen, PE35 antigen, and PPE68 antigen. Also provided is a method for the diagnosis of the presence of tuberculosis in a reservoir animal e.g. a badger, said method comprising determining the presence or absence of, or an immune response to Rv3616 antigen, MPB70 antigen, and MPB83 antigen. Kits for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of predicting ovulation and a test kit is described which allows one to accurately predict the time of ovulation in an animal in advance thus permitting the highest rate of pregnancy to be achieved and at the same time minimising embryonic death. Also described is a test kit for detecting and quantifying a given reproductive hormone and a method of optimising fertility in animals.