Predictive assay for the outcome of IVF

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB94/00596 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 21, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 21, 1995 PCT Filed Mar. 23, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO94/21815 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 29, 1994The present invention provides a method for predicting the outcome of IVF which comprises: (i) determining the level of 11 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta -HSD) in a biological sample from a female patient; and (ii) predicting from the level of 11 beta -HSD determined the probability of establishing pregnancy in said subject by IVF. It has been found that there is an inverse correlation between the levels of 11 beta -HSD in the environment of the oocyte and subsequent establishment of pregnancy by IVF. The present invention also provides methods of screening female subjects for their suitability to take part in IVF programs, and kits to use in determining levels of 11 beta -HSD.