Adherent entities and uses therefor

摘要

The present invention is directed to reproductive function-modulating organisms especially of the genera Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma, which adhere more strongly to spermatozoa than other organisms and which correlate with the presence or risk of a condition selected from male infertility, an adverse pregnancy outcome or an adverse assisted reproductive technology outcome. More particularly, the invention is directed to the detection of these reproductive function-modulating organisms (also referred to herein as adherovars), and to various therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for enhancing or otherwise improving inter alia fertility and especially male fertility.