Pregnancy and sex identification test based on saliva or other bodily fluids

Abstract

A method of testing an animal for pregnancy or identifying the sex of the animal comprising the steps of first, providing a first vessel containing a liquid and having a removable surface wherein said removable surface is at least partially coated with an antibody and then introducing a bodily fluid from the female animal into said first vessel so that said bodily fluid contacts the liquid and then manipulating the first vessel so that the liquid contacts the antibody. Then, a second vessel containing a reporter hormone solution is provided and the removable surface from the first vessel is displaced to the second vessel and manipulating the second vessel so that the reporter hormone solution contacts the removable surface. Then, a third vessel containing an indicating solution which has an appearance which is related to the amount of the reporter hormone contacted is provided, and the removable surface is displaced from the second vessel to the third vessel. The third vessel is manipulated so that the indicating solution contacts the removable surface. Then, a determination is made regarding the pregnancy or sex based on the appearance of the indicating solution.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 349,715, filed Jan. 23, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 912,342, filed Jul. 24, 2001, which application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 220,279, filed Jul. 24, 2000; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates to molecular biology and microbiology and, more particularly, to pregnancy tests for mammals and sex determination in animals. Still more particularly, this invention relates to pregnancy tests for equine mammals which are based on saliva or other bodily fluids.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]The prior art discloses a number of ways to test for pregnancy in female mammals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,011 to Manantou, et al., for example, discloses a method for ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a simple, easy, and inexpensive method for detecting pregnancy and identifying the sex of animals using saliva as a bodily fluid. The test is sensitive and reliable, with low levels of ambiguity and high levels of reliability. The method can be performed at home or on a farm or ranch by individuals without specialized veterinary or medical training. The test is also able to provide a quick result without the need for a separate laboratory facility. The method uses a liquid containing a buffer and a solid phase antibody coating, with a reporter hormone solution and an indicating solution for the detection of pregnancy or identifying the sex of the animal."

Problems solved by technology

While this device and process of this patent determines the alcohol level by measuring such alcohol levels in saliva, it does not utilize reporter enzymes to measure the level of certain hormones in saliva to determine pregnancy, but only to measure alcohol to determine ovulation.

With respect to avians, such sex identification may be difficult in some commercial species such as parrots and ratites, and for certain endangered species such as the California Condor and Whooping Crane as well as non-endangered species, such as the Canada Goose.

The above described methods of sex identification may, however, be relatively expensive and time consuming.

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