Inventors:
David B. Seifer - Holmdel NJ, US
Robert Shelden - Kendall Park NJ, US
Bo Feng - Edison NJ, US
Cheryl Dreyfus - Short Hills NJ, US
Assignee:
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Somerset NJ
International Classification:
A01N 37/00
A61K 38/00
US Classification:
514 2, 514 7, 514 8, 514 12
Abstract:
Methods and kits are provided for manipulating and predicting the reproductive capacity of a female subject. The presence of endogenous neurotrophins and addition of exogenous neurotrophins, particularly BDNF, NT-4/5, and NGF, increase the reproductive capacity of a female patient by binding to receptors on the oocytes and stimulating maturation of the oocytes. Administration of antagonists act as a contraceptive because the antagonists prevent the neurotrophins from binding to oocyte receptors. Neurotrophins may also be used to stimulate the maturation of oocyte in vitro.