Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin Modulates Male Reproductive Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively address disorders related to male reproduction, such as infertility, low sperm count, and testosterone levels, due to the lack of a biochemical pathway linking osteocalcin and reproductive biology.

Innovation Solution

Administering undercarboxylated/uncarboxylated osteocalcin or agents that modulate the OST-PTP and PTP-1B signaling pathways to increase testosterone levels and improve sperm count and motility, thereby treating reproductive disorders in male mammals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods are used to treat male reproductive disorders, then existing treatments are applied, but they fail to effectively address infertility, low sperm count, and testosterone levels due to lack of biochemical pathway understanding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidlack of biochemical pathway linking osteocalcin and reproductive biology

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies osteocalcin as a key intermediary molecule that mediates the connection between bone metabolism and reproductive function. By administering osteocalcin or modulating its pathways (OST-PTP and PTP-1B), the treatment establishes a biochemical mechanism that bridges previously disconnected physiological systems, thereby improving treatment effectiveness for male reproductive disorders

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the biochemical parameter of osteocalcin carboxylation status (undercarboxylated/uncarboxylated forms) to enhance its bioactivity and effectiveness in treating reproductive disorders. This parameter change in the molecular structure of osteocalcin improves its ability to bind receptors and exert therapeutic effects on testosterone production and sperm development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If osteocalcin is administered to increase testosterone levels and improve sperm count, then male fertility is enhanced, but the complexity of modulating OST-PTP and PTP-1B signaling pathways increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemale fertility and sperm countVSAvoidcomplexity of modulating signaling pathways

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the specific bioactive forms of osteocalcin (undercarboxylated and uncarboxylated forms) from the complex mixture of osteocalcin variants. By focusing on these specific extracted forms, the treatment simplifies the therapeutic approach while maintaining effectiveness in enhancing male fertility through the OST-PTP and PTP-1B pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8883739B2Osteocalcin as a treatment for male reproductive disorders

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

AI summary

Methods and compositions for treating, preventing, or diagnosing disorders related to reproduction in male mammals, preferably humans, are provided. The methods generally involve modulation of the OST-PTP signaling pathway or the PTP-IB signaling pathway involving gamma-carboxylase and osteocalcin. Disorders amenable to treatment by the methods include, but are not limited to, male infertility, low sperm count, impaired sperm motility, impaired sperm viability, low testosterone levels, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, underdevelopment of testes, and excess apoptosis in testes.