The Obesity Prone Oocyte- Causes, Consequences, Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,159.00
Summary
Obesity is perpetuated from mothers to offspring, in part due to changes in the oocyte (egg) that affect embryo growth. We have discovered that obesity causes changes in the mitochondria (the energy producers) of the egg. We hypothesise this causes long-lasting changes to embryo metabolism and will test, in mice, novel treatments to reverse the detrimental effects. The project will show how obesity affects embryo metabolism and growth, and determine whether defects can be prevented by drugs or l ....Obesity is perpetuated from mothers to offspring, in part due to changes in the oocyte (egg) that affect embryo growth. We have discovered that obesity causes changes in the mitochondria (the energy producers) of the egg. We hypothesise this causes long-lasting changes to embryo metabolism and will test, in mice, novel treatments to reverse the detrimental effects. The project will show how obesity affects embryo metabolism and growth, and determine whether defects can be prevented by drugs or lifestyle changes.Read moreRead less
This research aims to advance my novel discoveries of mechanisms through which hormones and enzymes control and coordinate optimal female fertility. The findings are being applied to novel technologies in reproductive medicine. This work further aims to characterize mechanisms of growth and metastasis in reproductive organ cancers. New diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with metastatic reproductive cancers are arising from this research.