Abstract: A method of testing sperm quality including obtaining a sample of sperm to be tested; detecting and measuring the testis-specific HspA2 chaperone protein (or, the chaperone protein homologues to HspA2) in human and animal sperm; and determining a sperm quality parameter based upon the chaperone protein, wherein an increased amount of the chaperone protein species indicates a higher sperm quality. The chaperone protein is detected and measured either by binding one or more antibodies specific to the sperm chaperone protein to the sperm and measuring the antibody content or measuring ATP bound to the sperm chaperone protein. In the case of the latter method, the chaperone protein may be detected and measured by measuring ATP bound to the sperm chaperone protein, and such measuring is by chaperone protein-bound and CK-B generated ATP measurement, or by bioluminescence of the chaperone protein bound-ATP.

Abstract: A process and system for selecting mature sperm for assisted reproduction techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection comprises applying a binding substrate specific to mature sperm to a surface; applying a sperm suspension to the surface; and contacting the sperm suspension and the mature sperm binding substrate on the surface. The process then comprises permitting mature sperm from the sperm suspension to bind to the mature sperm binding substrate at a periphery thereof; and removing bound sperm from the periphery of the mature sperm binding substrate. Preferably, the mature sperm binding substrate is a fluid and comprises hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, a polysaccharide, a glycosaminoglycan, a zona pellucida component, zona protein of the egg membrane or a structural or functional homolog or analog of the sperm-binding elements of the female reproductive tract or the zona pellucida, a proteoglycan, or an antibody to a protein receptor for mature sperm.

Abstract: A method for testing sperm quality comprising obtaining a sperm sample; detecting CK enzyme from the sperm sample; measuring a first CK enzyme concentration for CKX isoforms of the CK enzyme; and determining a sperm quality parameter based upon the first CK enzyme concentration. Preferably a second CK enzyme concentration is measured for CKB isoforms of the CK enzyme and is also used as a basis for determining the sperm quality parameter. Measurements of the levels of CKX and CKB isoforms by electrophoresis and fluorescence techniques are used to establish the first and second CK enzyme concentrations. The sperm quality parameter is proportional to the ratio of the CKX isoform level to the sum of the CKX and CKB isoform levels. Sperm which meets a predetermined minimum sperm quality level is selected for use in vivo or in vitro fertilization attempts on eggs.

Abstract: A method for determining the extensibility of selected non-excised tissue of the uterine cervix, ear or skin by:(a) positioning the tissue between two force transmitting members, applying a varying compressive force to the tissue through the force transmitting members, measuring the force applied and the displacement of the non-excised tissue resulting from said force, and calculating the modulus of extensibility curve of the tissue, or(b) positioning the tissue between two force transmitting members, applying a constant compressive force to the tissue through the force transmitting members, measuring the displacement of the tissue resulting from the application of the force, and continuously monitoring the changes in the displacement of the tissue over a period of time to determine the changes in the extensibility of the tissue while the constant force is applied.