Hospital Admission, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability And Birth Defects In Assisted Conception Infants.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,110.00
Summary
We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technol ....We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technology Register and four other population-based databases. The prevalence of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, hospital admission and birth defects in assisted conception children born in WA between 1993 and 2001 will be compared to that seen in all other Western Australian children born over the same time period. The collection of information on risks associated with assisted conception treatment is vital to allow adequate counselling of couples considering fertility treatment. Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, birth defects and hospital admission are all serious adverse health outcomes and, despite the introduction of IVF to most Western countries twenty years ago, there are limited data in the literature concerning the occurrence of these conditions in assisted conception infants. Quantifying the contribution of assisted conception treatment to neonatal, infant and childhood morbidity and mortality is also important for the planning of health service provision. Although assisted conception births represent only a small proportion of total births in Australia, these infants may require a disproportionate level of health care services, such as neonatal intensive care treatment due to complications associated with preterm or multiple birth. The wide application of assisted conception treatment in Australia and the increased number of pregnancies achieved by these means reinforce the urgent need for valid data on the health of children born after these procedures.Read moreRead less
Population-based Data Linkage To Investigate The Health And Development Of Children Born After IVF
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,972.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 25 births are conceived from IVF treatment and this is increasing. My research program will use a comprehensive set of linked population data to address key questions in the IVF field following major changes to IVF practice in the last decade. This research (examining fetal growth, birth defects, intellectual disability and school achievement) has the potential to influence clinical practice and will greatly improve the information available for pre-treatment counselling.
Recent Changes In IVF Clinical Practice: Data Linkage To Investigate Their Impact On Fetal Growth And Birth Defects.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,076.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 25 births are conceived from IVF treatment and this is increasing with the continuing trend towards later childbearing. This study will use linked population data to assess fetal growth and birth defects in IVF-conceived children following major changes to IVF practice in the last decade. There are limited data internationally on health outcomes following the use of more recent IVF techniques and insufficient data to allow for adequate pre-treatment counselling.
Mechanisms of infertility induced in mice by vaccination with murine zona pellucida 3. This research investigates the means by which a novel immunocontraceptive vaccine induces an infertile state in female mice. The vaccine stimulates an autoimmune condition which resembles certain naturally occurring ovarian diseases. By investigating how ovarian cellular interactions are maintained in normal ovaries and disrupted by the immunocontraceptive vaccine, we will learn a great deal about ovarian fu ....Mechanisms of infertility induced in mice by vaccination with murine zona pellucida 3. This research investigates the means by which a novel immunocontraceptive vaccine induces an infertile state in female mice. The vaccine stimulates an autoimmune condition which resembles certain naturally occurring ovarian diseases. By investigating how ovarian cellular interactions are maintained in normal ovaries and disrupted by the immunocontraceptive vaccine, we will learn a great deal about ovarian function in health and disease. Ultimately this information will be applied to improving the reproductive health of women.
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Stimulation of the mammalian reproductive system by olfactory pathways. This project answers fundamental questions about mammalian reproductive biology but, because we work with the sheep model, our findings can be applied to two of Australia's biggest export industries, wool and sheepmeat. Understanding the reproductive responses of our production animals to exteroceptive factors such as socio-sexual signals, photoperiod and nutrition is an important first step towards refining the management ....Stimulation of the mammalian reproductive system by olfactory pathways. This project answers fundamental questions about mammalian reproductive biology but, because we work with the sheep model, our findings can be applied to two of Australia's biggest export industries, wool and sheepmeat. Understanding the reproductive responses of our production animals to exteroceptive factors such as socio-sexual signals, photoperiod and nutrition is an important first step towards refining the management of breeding programs. It has been argued that this approach will also minimise, and perhaps even remove the need for, exogenous hormones and drugs for controlling the reproductive process.Read moreRead less
The critical role of kisspeptin/neurokinin/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) release. The brain controls fertility through the secretion of its primary stimulatory factor, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Brain cells producing three key peptide hormones, kisspeptin, neurokin B and dynorphin (termed KNDy cells) are vital for the control of GnRH. This project will detail the role of KNDy cells in puberty and reproduction.
Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between mar ....Genes to phenotype: Exploiting the marsupial model. This research will exploit one of Australia's finest natural resources, its marsupial fauna. The features of marsupial reproduction and development provide a unique opportunity to answer fundamental biological questions. This research will show how the minor differences in key developmental genes that have arisen in their 100 million year isolation give rise to the characteristic differences in developmental timing and reproduction between marsupials and other mammals. The focus on reproduction and development will also provide invaluable knowledge to underpin efforts to conserve our endangered species and to control those that are overabundant.Read moreRead less
An integrated genomics approach to improve our understanding of the biology of genital campylobacteriosis in beef cattle. Beef is Australia's most valuable agricultural export estimated at $9.6B annually and this industry accounts for one-third of full time employment in regional communities. Currently, unknown causes of reproductive losses in cattle in Northern Australian cost producers approximately $15M per annum. Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is one of the major risk factors associated w ....An integrated genomics approach to improve our understanding of the biology of genital campylobacteriosis in beef cattle. Beef is Australia's most valuable agricultural export estimated at $9.6B annually and this industry accounts for one-third of full time employment in regional communities. Currently, unknown causes of reproductive losses in cattle in Northern Australian cost producers approximately $15M per annum. Bovine genital campylobacteriosis is one of the major risk factors associated with this high cost due to the inability to accurately diagnose the disease. This research will integrate genomics and bioinformatics with infection and vaccination models to improve our understanding of the biology of the disease to develop appropriate control strategies securing Australia's beef industry.Read moreRead less
The Long-term Consequences Of Assisted Reproduction On The Growth, Metabolic, Respiratory, Psychological, Immunological And Reproductive Development Of The Offspring.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,552,096.00
Summary
1 in 25 children are born from IVF treatment - incredibly- to our shame; no data exists as to the long-term health of these children. Presented is a unique opportunity, which would be exceedingly difficult to replicate elsewhere in the world, to determine the long-term consequences of IVF upon the development of the offspring, by comparing their growth, metabolic, respiratory, psychological, immunological and reproductive development to a representative sample of WA children- the Raine cohort.
Brain Regulation of Reproduction: Challenging the ‘KNDy’ Hypothesis. The brain switches reproduction on and off by changing the frequency of pulses of gonadotrophin releasing hormone. The processes that produce the pulses have been a puzzle for decades but, recently, brain cells that produce three peptides (kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin), known as ‘KNDy cells’, have been heralded as the ‘missing link’, or even the ‘pulse generator’. Using sheep, this project will challenge the KNDy hypothe ....Brain Regulation of Reproduction: Challenging the ‘KNDy’ Hypothesis. The brain switches reproduction on and off by changing the frequency of pulses of gonadotrophin releasing hormone. The processes that produce the pulses have been a puzzle for decades but, recently, brain cells that produce three peptides (kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin), known as ‘KNDy cells’, have been heralded as the ‘missing link’, or even the ‘pulse generator’. Using sheep, this project will challenge the KNDy hypothesis with pheromones and with acute increases in nutrition, two factors that rapidly increase the frequency of gonadotrophin releasing hormone pulses. The outcomes of this research are directly relevant to the optimisation of reproductive management in farm animals, wildlife and humans.Read moreRead less