Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing fertility by reducing the activities and/or levels of circulating glycoprotein hormones having lutropin (LH) activity. The molecules of the invention are antibodies or other binding agents that reduce the biological activities of LH. The present invention also relates to novel methods for devising and/or selecting antibodies to specific portions of proteins including LH and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to permit their biological activities to be reduced to desired degrees. The present invention also relates to the preparation of single subunit gonadotropins and gonadotropin antagonists for use in stimulating and inhibiting fertility and for controlling ovarian hyperstimulation.

Abstract: Compositions containing a knob attached to a specific site of a protein and methods of producing and using these compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise a knob, a tail portion and a protein portion. The protein portion contains a substituted cysteine residue at the desired location of labeling. The tail portion is located at the terminal end of the protein portion. The knob is linked to the end of the tail portion and contains a cysteine residue. The substituted cysteine residue on the protein portion and the cysteine residue on the knob form a disulfide bond, thereby tagging the protein portion at the desired site with the knob.

Abstract: A sensor device is provided for detecting an analyte in a sample in which an analyte is bound to a detection reagent to form a bound complex. The device comprises (a) a sample (5) comprising an ionic analyte and a detection reagent in a conductive fluid, wherein the detection reagent has a net charge different from the analyte; (b) a first permeable polymeric hydrogel plate (3) and a first spacer plate (8), which plates provide a compartment for the sample; (c) an anode (1) juxtaposed to the outside of the first hydrogel plate and not in contact with the sample; (d) a cathode (9) juxtaposed to the outside of the first spacer plate and not in contact with the sample; (e) a voltage generator (10) to apply an electric potential to the anode and cathode; and (f) a detector (11).

Abstract: The present invention provides glycoprotein hormone analogs having partial agonist/antagonist activity comprising an ?-subunit polypeptide and a ?-subunit polypeptide. The analog lacks a naturally occurring oligosaccharide on ?-subunit loop 2 and is cross-linked to the ?-subunit by a disulfide bond. The present invention also provides a method for stimulating fertility in mammals by promoting apoptosis of ovarian cells and/or luteal cells, which comprises administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a glycoprotein hormone analog having partial agonist/antagonist activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor device for detecting and quantifying a gene product in a cell or tissue section sample by employing an analysis reagent that binds to the gene product to form a detectable product. The device comprises (a) a first and second coated plate, wherein the plates are parallel to each other and are coated with a conductive material; (b) a first and second conductive plate, wherein the plates are juxtaposed over the coated plates; (c) a first and second conducting tape connecting a first and second end of the coated plates and the conductive plates, respectively; (d) a first and second gasket insulator insulating a first and second end of the coated plates and the conductive plates, respectively; (e) a voltage generator connected to the first and second conductive plates to apply an electric potential to the conductive plates; and (f) a detector. The first and second coated plates provide a compartment for a cell or tissue section sample and a conductive fluid.