Growth Factors And Regulatory Genes Controlling Male Spermatogonial Proliferation And Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,536.00
Summary
In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditi ....In newborn and prepubertal boys the testis contains germ cells which are at a premature stage of development and very suseptible to degeneration especially if the testes fail to descend to the scrotum. The molecules which are responsible for the health of these germ cells have been unknown and only recently the way has been opened for direct study of these factors. This has been made possible by a new assay, developed in our labarotory, in which we can grow these germ cells under defined conditions. This step forward has highlighted some areas of knowledge which need further research such as identification of the processes which stimulate gonocytes to grow and divide. We need to test growth factors, somatic cell factors and also isolate new genes which are associated with germ cells and their growth. This knowledge will have outcomes in two major areas. First, the new findings could be applied to treatment of infertility resulting from undescended testes in which a stimulus could be given to make the germ cells grow again. Second, work in developing longer term culture of germ cells coupled with introduction of mutations will enable us to make mutant mice with a specific gene abnormality, similar to transgenic or gene knockout mice. This technological development would prove less expensive and time consuming with more reproducible and direct outcomes. Mutant mouse technology is a powerful tool to determine the effects of individual genes in the whole animal (mouse).Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of The Pathways Leading To DNA Demethylation In The Embryo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,573.00
Summary
Complex living creatures like humans have specialised cells that co-operate to form important organs like brains and reproductive organs. Specialised cells have specific genes locked on or off. When a sperm fertilises an egg, all the switches of the genes that are locked on or off get reset to neutral so that the fertilised egg can divide and grow into all cell types in the body. We do not know how this resetting happens in the egg. This project seeks to discover the mechanism involved.
The Formation And Development Of The Ovarian Follicular Membrana Granulosa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,575.00
Summary
In order for the ovary to be able to release eggs and produce hormones such as oestrogen, follicles must grow within the ovary. Each follicle contains one egg and when the follicle is large and filled with fluid it can rupture, releasing the fluid and egg in the process of ovulation. A key part of the structure of the follicle is a non-cellular layer called the basal lamina. This basal lamina encapsulates the inner cells, the egg and the fluid in the follicle. Each women has millions of follicle ....In order for the ovary to be able to release eggs and produce hormones such as oestrogen, follicles must grow within the ovary. Each follicle contains one egg and when the follicle is large and filled with fluid it can rupture, releasing the fluid and egg in the process of ovulation. A key part of the structure of the follicle is a non-cellular layer called the basal lamina. This basal lamina encapsulates the inner cells, the egg and the fluid in the follicle. Each women has millions of follicles prior to her birth, ten of thousands in her reproductive years, and none at the menopause. Since she only ovulates about 500 in her lifetime most follicles die in the process of growing to ovulatory size. This project will examine the structure of the follicle wall and the cells that make up that wall. How these cells replicate during follicle growth has never been discovered. This research has important implications for the many women who have polycystic ovarian disease, whose follicles fail to grow to full size. We will be examining these ovaries directly. The research also has importance in the next phase of IVF developments.Read moreRead less