Abstract: The present invention provides a method, oligonucleotide probes and primers, and assay kits for diagnosing an individual as having hypospermatogenesis associated infertility that involves demonstrating in the individual the presence or absence of a variant form of a gene in exons 6, 7, 8 or 9 of the L-VDCC ?1c transcript.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid hybridization assay composition for detecting the presence or absence of a target oligo- or polynucleotide in a sample. The composition comprises: a solid matrix having at least one surface which is substituted with a first intercalator capable of binding dsDNA, dsRNA, or DNA-RNA hybrids; a second intercalator, which may or may not comprise at least one fluorophore, said intercalator or said fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor: and an oligo- or polynucleotide probe which is specifically hybridizable with the target oligo- or polynucleotide and has directly or indirectly bound thereto, at least one lanthanide metal chelate or at least one fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor. Also disclosed are a method and kit for its use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid hybridization assay composition for detecting the presence or absence of a target oligo- or polynucleotide in a sample. The composition comprises: a solid matrix having at least one surface which is substituted with a first intercalator capable of binding dsDNA, dsRNA, or DNA-RNA hybrids; a second intercalator, which may or may not comprise at least one fluorophore, said intercalator or said fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor: and an oligo- or polynucleotide probe which is specifically hybridizable with the target oligo- or polynucleotide and has directly or indirectly bound thereto, at least one lanthanide metal chelate or at least one fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor. Also disclosed are a method and kit for its use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid hybridization assay composition for detecting the presence or absence of a target oligo- or polynucleotide in a sample. The composition comprises: a solid matrix having at least one surface which is substituted with a first intercalator capable of binding dsDNA, dsRNA, or DNA-RNA hybrids; a second intercalator, which may or may not comprise at least one fluorophore, said intercalator or said fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor; and an oligo- or polynucleotide probe which is specifically hybridizable with the target oligo- or polynucleotide and has directly or indirectly bound thereto, at least one lanthanide metal chelate or at least one fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor. Also disclosed are a method and kit for its use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid hybridization assay composition for detecting the presence of absence of a target oligo- or polynucleotide in a sample. The composition comprises: a solid matrix having at least one surface which is substituted with a first intercalator capable of binding dsDNA dsRNA, or DAN-RNA hybrids; a second intercalator, which may or may not comprise at least one fluorophore, said intercalator or said fluorophore each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor; and an oligo- or polynucleotide probe which is specifically hybridizable with the target oligo- or polynucleotide and has directly or indirectly bound thereto, at least one lanthanide metal chelate or at least one fluorophore, each acting as either an energy donor or an energy acceptor. Also disclosed are a method and kit for its use.

Abstract: A time-resolved fluorometer, having a light tight enclosure, for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample. Within the light tight enclosure are a pulsed dye laser that produces a pulsed light beam for sample excitation, a light tight sample excitation station through which samples, treated with a reagent composition, are passed into the path of the pulsed light excitation beam to produce a delayed fluorescence emission, a fused silica lens system through which the delayed fluorescence emission passes and an assembly which selectively amplifies, counts and characterizes the resulting emissions. The operation and coordination of the time resolved fluorometer are under computerized control as are the readings reported. Significant improvements relate to the fused silica lens systems and interference filters, cooling of the emission measurement apparatus and particularly the improved performance resulting from the combination of these aspects.