Comparison Of Health And Development Of Young Adults Born With And Without Assisted Conception.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,674.00
Summary
Since 1983, a large number of children have been conceived with IVF and use of this technology is increasing. Few studies have examined the longer term health and development of these young people as they progress into adulthood. The proposed study will investigate outcomes for IVF conceived young adults as compared to their spontaneously conceived peers. The study will provide new information on the long term safety of IVF.
Interleukin 11 And Leukemia Inhibitory Factor: Pivotal Regulators Of Uterine Receptivity And Placental Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,294.00
Summary
Infertility, spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia are major clinical problems. Interleukin (IL)-11 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) are critical for embryo implantation in mice but their mechanisms of action in women are not well defined. We will define their roles in the establishment of pregnancy and provide new critical information on their potential as targets for diagnostic and therapeutic tools for infertility and major diseases associated with pregnancy.
BH3-only Proteins Are Critical For The Developmentally Programmed Death Of Oocytes: Impact On Ooctye Quality And The Fertile Lifespan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,537.00
Summary
The ability of women to have healthy children, and the age at which menopause occurs, are largely dependent on the number and quality of the eggs stored in their ovaries. For unknown reasons, around two-thirds of all eggs die very shortly after they are made. We are unraveling the genes involved in determining whether an egg will live or die, and are investigating the role of these genes as _quality control sentinels", responsible for ensuring that only the highest quality eggs are ovulated.
Toll-like Receptor And MyD88 Signalling In The Testis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,411.00
Summary
Infertility affects one in seven couples desiring children. A proportion (5-10%) of the male partners in these couples have immunological reactions against their own sperm. The testes, where sperm are made, and the immune system normally exist in a balanced, beneficial relationship, but sometimes this relationship goes wrong. This can also lead to chronic pain and increased risk of testicular cancer. The project investigates this relationship in order to provide assistance for these men and thei ....Infertility affects one in seven couples desiring children. A proportion (5-10%) of the male partners in these couples have immunological reactions against their own sperm. The testes, where sperm are made, and the immune system normally exist in a balanced, beneficial relationship, but sometimes this relationship goes wrong. This can also lead to chronic pain and increased risk of testicular cancer. The project investigates this relationship in order to provide assistance for these men and their partners.Read moreRead less
This study is aiming to develop an unique mouse model in which to study the question whether testosterone plays an essential role in female reproductive and general health. It will develop a genetic mouse model for a biological state of complete resistance to the effects of androgens. Such mice and humans are well known among genetic males but this cannot occur naturally among genetic female mammals. By creating such a mouse line, this project will be able to test for the first time indetail whe ....This study is aiming to develop an unique mouse model in which to study the question whether testosterone plays an essential role in female reproductive and general health. It will develop a genetic mouse model for a biological state of complete resistance to the effects of androgens. Such mice and humans are well known among genetic males but this cannot occur naturally among genetic female mammals. By creating such a mouse line, this project will be able to test for the first time indetail whether testosterone has an impotant role in the development and function of the ovary and of other female tissues such as bone, muscle and the brain.Read moreRead less
Comparison Of Pregnancy Outcomes Following Transferring One Or Two Embryos In A Selected Group Of Infertility Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,302.00
Summary
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) deals with issues of fundamental importance to individuals involved, and society as a whole. Despite major advances, ART continues to be very costly in many regards. A major reason for this is the relatively low rate of pregnancy, which averages 25% per procedure. The common response to the problem of low pregnancy rates is to return several embryos to uterus. A dilemma associated with this strategy is the high risk of multiple pregnancy, which is associate ....Assisted reproductive technology (ART) deals with issues of fundamental importance to individuals involved, and society as a whole. Despite major advances, ART continues to be very costly in many regards. A major reason for this is the relatively low rate of pregnancy, which averages 25% per procedure. The common response to the problem of low pregnancy rates is to return several embryos to uterus. A dilemma associated with this strategy is the high risk of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with adverse consequences for mother and fetus(es). Compared to singleton births; fetal, neonatal, and perinatal mortality rates are 3-6 times higher in twins, and 5-15 times higher in multiple births of a higher order. Cerebral palsy rates among survivors are six times higher in twins and twenty times higher in triplets. The increase in the incidence of adverse outcomes related to multiple pregnancy has been well documented in ART. We propose a randomised controlled study to assess single embryo transfer (SET) compared to double embryo transfer (DET). Infertility women with a high risk of multiple pregnancy will be randomly allocated to receive one or two embryos, which is the usual treatment at present. We shall then examine the rates of single and multiple pregnancies, and the success of those pregnancies in this group of patients. Potential benefits to the community from this project are very substantial, as it has the capacity to substantially reduce the number of multiple births. Patients will also benefit by having more accurate information with which to make an informed choice during treatment.Read moreRead less
P-glycoprotein: A New Player In The Placental Glucocorticoid Barrier
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,711.00
Summary
Adequate growth and development of the fetus are crucial for survival of the newborn. The placenta plays a central role in these processes, providing the fetus with appropriate nutrients and hormonal signals. The placenta also regulates the maternal-fetal passage of hormones, some of which have the capacity to limit fetal growth. These include glucocorticoid hormones from the mother's adrenal gland (eg cortisol) which are normally prevented from passing through the placenta to the fetus due to t ....Adequate growth and development of the fetus are crucial for survival of the newborn. The placenta plays a central role in these processes, providing the fetus with appropriate nutrients and hormonal signals. The placenta also regulates the maternal-fetal passage of hormones, some of which have the capacity to limit fetal growth. These include glucocorticoid hormones from the mother's adrenal gland (eg cortisol) which are normally prevented from passing through the placenta to the fetus due to the 'placental glucocorticoid barrier'. The primary focus of this proposal is the investigation of a potential new contributor to this barrier called P-glycoprotein (P-gp), recently shown to limit access of glucocorticoids to the brain. We propose that because the placenta expresses significant amounts of P-gp, it may help prevent maternal glucocorticoids from reaching the fetus and causing growth retardation. We will determine whether P-gp is a significant contributor to the placental glucocorticoid barrier, and measure how much P-gp is present in normal placentas throughout pregnancy. We will also assess whether there is less P-gp present in placentas of growth-retarded fetuses. Understanding how P-gp affects the passage of glucocorticoids across the placenta could help to treat certain cases of fetal growth retardation.Read moreRead less
Why We Have Two Estrogen Receptors: The Role Of ERbeta In Folliculogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,053.00
Summary
The female hormone estrogen acts via receptors ERalpha and ERbeta. Little is known about the genes and proteins regulated by ERbeta. Ovarian granulosa cells and granulosa cell tumours express ERbeta. By studying the biology of normal and malignant granulosa cells we hope to understand the role that ERbeta plays in granulosa cells. These studies will identify areas for the development of new therapeutics or treatment strategies for a range of female-specific conditions including ovarian cancer.
Interstitially Invasive Trophoblast Of The Murine Placenta: Developmental Origins, Functions And Gene Expression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$369,717.00
Summary
Due to the obvious limitations to studying human pregnancy, the mouse has become a valuable model. However, invasion of the placenta into the uterine wall and vasculature, critical for successful pregnancy, is poorly understood in the mouse. The aims of the proposal are designed to gain a better understanding of these processes in mice and will provide a more accurate model system to study serious pregnancy complications resulting from abnormal placental invasion, such as preeclampsia.