An In Vitro Study Of The Mechanisms Underlying Ineffective Labour In Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,820.00
Summary
Strong contractions of the uterus are necessary for successful vaginal delivery of the baby. Failure of the uterus to contract forcefully, ineffective labour, is a major cause of caesarean delivery. Drip infusion of oxytocin is routinely used in attempts to strengthen the weak contractions of ineffective labour, but this is not always successful in bringing about vaginal delivery. The normal preparation of the uterus for the process of birth is likely to involve a complex array of processes. The ....Strong contractions of the uterus are necessary for successful vaginal delivery of the baby. Failure of the uterus to contract forcefully, ineffective labour, is a major cause of caesarean delivery. Drip infusion of oxytocin is routinely used in attempts to strengthen the weak contractions of ineffective labour, but this is not always successful in bringing about vaginal delivery. The normal preparation of the uterus for the process of birth is likely to involve a complex array of processes. The failure to successfully resolve ineffective labour, other than by caesarean section, stems from a lack of understanding of these processes. In our studies of the human uterus over the past few years we found that the behaviour of samples obtained from women undergoing caesarean section during labour was quite variable. Some samples possessed a high degree of negative electricity which made contraction difficult. Some other samples were quite resistant to the contracting effects of oxytocin. In yet a third group, the uterus did not contract when given prostaglandin, one of the body's most important hormones during labour. When the obstetricians checked the medical records of these women, they found that ineffective labour had been diagnosed. The aim of this study is to work out the details of what is happening in these cases of ineffective labour. Since this problem is a major cause of caesarean delivery, a greater understanding of the underlying causes will facilitate the development of more effective treatments and hence bring about a resolution which is fundamental to healthy mothers and babies.Read moreRead less
Limiting Weight Gain In Overweight And Obese Women During Pregnancy To Improve Health Outcomes - A Randomised Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,541,444.00
Summary
Being overweight or obese is a major health issue for women during pregnancy and childbirth in Australia. There are well documented risks associated with obesity during pregnancy for both the mother and her baby. This randomised trial will assess whether the implementation of a package of dietary and lifestyle advice to overweight and obese pregnancy women to limit weight gain during pregnancy is effective in improving health outcomes for women and their babies.
Characterisation Of Abnormal Placental Stem Cells In A Human Pregnancy Disorder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,969.00
Summary
The placenta is a rich source of stem cells. We have discovered that stem cells from placentae affected by fetal growth restriction (FGR), a clinically significant pregnancy disorder, are morphologically and functionally different to normal placental stem cells. We predict that abnormal stem cells contribute to FGR. We will carry out gene expression and functional studies to further characterise the abnormal stem cells. The work may lead to new types of treatments for FGR in future.
Regulation Of Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-2 In The Human Fetal Membranes At Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,750.00
Summary
Preterm birth with the resulting immaturity of babies is the leading cause of death and disease among newborns. Early birth occurs in 6 to 11% of pregnancies, and its rate is slowly increasing in industrialized countries. We need a much better knowledge of the regulation of the parturition process to find ways to reverse this trend. Prostaglandins are hormonal substances that stimulate uterine contractions, cervical dilatation and membrane rupture. Intrauterine tissues produce prostaglandins, an ....Preterm birth with the resulting immaturity of babies is the leading cause of death and disease among newborns. Early birth occurs in 6 to 11% of pregnancies, and its rate is slowly increasing in industrialized countries. We need a much better knowledge of the regulation of the parturition process to find ways to reverse this trend. Prostaglandins are hormonal substances that stimulate uterine contractions, cervical dilatation and membrane rupture. Intrauterine tissues produce prostaglandins, and an increase of prostaglandin levels in the uterus is likely responsible for inducing labour both normally and preterm. We have previously identified an enzyme protein in the fetal membranes, called prostaglandin synthase-2, that has a key role in the synthesis of intrauterine prostaglandins during pregnancy. This enzyme is increasingly expressed before labour onset. In the present application, we propose studies to determine what causes the increased expression. We hypothesize that the gene encoding this enzyme is specifically activated in the fetal membranes in preparation for labour. We will define the mechanism of regulation by determining the activity of the gene in tissues from women who deliver either spontaneously or without labour at term and preterm. Further, we will determine the interaction of regulatory proteins with the prostaglandin synthase-2 gene in these pregnancies in order to understand the mechanisms of regulation at the molecular level. Finally, we will conduct cell culture studies to experimentally manipulate prostaglandin synthase-2 gene activity in fetal membrane cells. As an overall outcome of this work, new targets may be identified for drugs to disrupt prostaglandin synthase-2 gene activation specifically in the fetal membranes. The long term perspective is to block prostaglandin synthesis in the uterus in order to suppress preterm labour and prevent preterm birth.Read moreRead less