6% of Australian men are infertile. Of these cases 50% are thought to be genetic in origin. Within this project we will replicate high-confidence genetic variants associated with human male infertility in the mouse. Doing so will allow the assignment of definitive genotype-phenotype correlations and the formulation of high confidence advice for clinicians and patients. It will also provide a means to define the mechanism of action and the tools for future pro-fertility treatments.
Role Of Snail Family Proteins In Male Fertility And Testicular Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,076.00
Summary
Male fertility requires production of healthy sperm in the testis. This project builds on our discoveries that testicular cells regulate gene activity via the Snail family of proteins during sperm development, and that interruption of their activities reduces fertility in mice and fruitflies. Snail proteins are also active in cancer cells. We propose to study the precise steps in sperm production affected by Snail proteins and how they affect the progression of testicular cancer.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10% of women worldwide, yet its origins remain unknown. Androgens are implicated in the development of PCOS, but the decisive, invasive studies needed to confirm and elucidate their roles are not feasible in women. Hence, using our innovative mouse models of androgen resistant female mice, this study will determine the role of androgens in PCOS aiming to better understand, and identify new treatments for this common female reproductive disorder.