| abstract |
Methods for detecting and isolating acrosome-reacted sperm and complement receptor-bearing oocytes using the complement component C3, fragments, or variants thereof, antibodies to a complement receptor, or antibodies to C3, are disclosed. These methods have application in the assessment of fertility, in the preparation of sperm or oocytes for in vitro fertilization or for gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, in promoting or inhibiting fertilization in vitro and in vivo, and in diagnosing and treating infertility. |