Patent ID: 7175990

Claim:
A method of determining the probability of success of implantation in a female human following an assisted reproductive technology or naturally achieved conception, the method comprising: determining the level of an L-selectin ligand carbohydrate epitope that is produced by a uterine epithelial cell, and that is present in a biological sample from the female human, wherein the L-selectin ligand carbohydrate epitope comprises one or more carbohydrate epitopes selected from SO 3 →6G1cNAc, sLe x (Siaα2→3Ga1β1→4[Fucα1→3]G1cNAc), 6-sulfo sLe x (Siaα2→3Ga1β1→4[Fucα1→3][SO 3 →6]G1cNAc), 6′-sulfo sLe x (Siaα2→3[SO 3 →6]Ga1→4[Fucα1→3]G1cNAc), and6′,6-disulfo sLe x (Siaα2→3[SO 3 →6]Ga1β1→4[Fucα1→3][SO 3 →6]G1cNAc); comparing the level to a standard; and determining the probability of success of implantation following an assisted reproductive technology or naturally achieved conception based on the level of an L-selectin ligand carbohydrate epitope produced by the uterine epithelial cell, wherein an increase in the level of the L-selectin ligand carbohydrate epitope, compared to a control level, indicates an increased probability of success of implantation.