Methods for diagnosing endometriosis

1. A method for diagnosing endometriosis in a subject, comprising:

(a) providing a sample isolated from the subject; and

(b) measuring the level of fibrinogen β-subunit in the sample;

wherein a level of fibrinogen β-subunit lower than the level of a control is indicative of endometriosis.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of fibrinogen β-subunit is between 0 and 95% of the level of the control.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the level of fibrinogen β-subunit is between 0 and 70% lower than the control.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein measuring the level of fibrinogen β-subunit comprises contacting fibrinogen β-subunit with a fibrinogen β-subunit binding partner.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the binding partner is an antibody.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the antibody is monoclonal.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of: rabbit polyclonal fibrinogen anti-human antibody (Dako Cat. No. A0080), F4639 monoclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody produced in mouse (Sigma-Aldrich clone FG-21, ascites fluid), F9902 monoclonal anti-fibrinogen antibody produce in mouse (Sigma-Aldrich clone 85D4, ascites fluid), and anti-fibrinogen antibody produced in goat (Sigma-Aldrich clone F8512, whole antiserum).

8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the binding partner further comprises a label.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of fibrinogen β-subunit is measured using a detection method selected from the group consisting of: Western blot, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry (MS), tandem mass spectrometry, and multiple rounds of mass spectrometry.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the mass spectrometry comprises using a mass analyzer.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mass analyzer is selected from the group consisting of: ion trap, triple quadrupole, time-of-flight, quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS).

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mass spectrometry further comprises a matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI) or electrospray ionization (ESI) ion source.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the mammal is a human.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of: blood, lymph fluid, ascetic fluid, gynecological fluid, urine, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, a fluid collected by vaginal rinsing, and a fluid collected by vaginal flushing.