Abstract: The invention relates to the use of phospholipase C zeta in inducing or promoting the activation of oocytes, preferably human oocytes, nuclear transfer embryos, parthenogenic embryos, cross species embryos and during in vitro fertilization. The invention further relates to methods of detecting levels of expression of phospholipase c zeta in sperm as a means of detecting male infertility. The invention also relates to the use of phospholipase C zeta to treat male infertility. Still further the invention relates to the recombinant cells that are engineered to express phospholipase C zeta, preferably under inducible conditions. Also, the invention relates to antibodies specific to phospholipase C zeta, preferably human phospholipase C zeta.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of testis specific kinases (the tssk family), nucleic acid sequences encoding those kinases and antibodies against the kinases. The invention is further directed to the use of the tssk 4 kinase and other members of the tssk kinase family as targets for isolating specific inhibitors or antagonists of tssk kinase activity. Such inhibitors are anticipated to have use as contraceptive agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human soluble adenylyl cyclase and nucleic acid sequences encoding the adenylyl cyclase. The invention further relates to methods of using the adenylyl cyclase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a targets for identifying agonists and antagonists that are selective for human soluble adenylyl cyclase. Inhibitors of human soluble adenylyl cyclase can be used as contraceptive agents.