Compositions and Methods Using NOX5

Abstract

Certain embodiments include methods of assessing male fertility.

1 . A method of assessing male fertility comprising extracting proteins from a sperm or semen sample obtained from a subject and measuring the level of NOX5 protein in the sperm or semen sample, wherein a level of NOX5 protein is at least 10 fold lower or at least 10 fold higher relative to a normal reference level is indicative of male infertility. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring protein levels for cAbl and HV1 proteins, wherein a decrease in protein levels is indicative of infertility. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of NOX5 protein is at least 100 fold lower or at least 100 fold higher than a reference level. 
     
     
         4 . A method for in vitro diagnosis of male infertility comprising measuring the level of NOX5 protein in a sperm sample from a subject using at least one antibody that specifically binds NOX5; and diagnosing the subject with infertility when the level of NOX5 protein is decreased relative to a reference, the decreased level being indicative of infertility. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising measuring protein levels for cAbl and HV1 proteins, wherein a decrease in protein levels is indicative of infertility. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the level of NOX5 is at least 10 fold less or at least 10 fold more than a reference level. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the level of NOX5 is at least 100 fold less or at least 100 fold more than a reference level. 
     
     
         8 . A method of assessing sperm function comprising extracting proteins from a sperm or semen sample obtained from a subject and measuring the level of NOX5 protein in the sperm or semen sample, wherein a decrease in the level of NOX5 protein relative to a normal reference level is indicative of reduced sperm motility.