The failure of an embryo to implant is a major cause of infertility. While IVF is an important intervention, still three quarters of embryos do not implant. We have identified new factors that we believe are critically important in embryo attachment to the womb. We will now prove whether these factors are critical and therefore provide the evidence required to begin to develop novel treatment options for infertility.
Female Reproductive Health Preservation By Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) And Sirtuin2 (SIRT2)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,983.00
Summary
Cancer treatment can be severely toxic to women’s eggs. Increasing numbers of women who survive cancer therefore become infertile and prematurely deprived of hormonal support whilst still in their reproductive years. This project will use state-of-the-art techniques to interrogate newly uncovered pathways that can protect eggs from treatment-induced injury thereby greatly improving the quality of life for female cancer survivors.
Mechanisms Of DNA Damage-induced Oocyte Apoptosis And Infertility: Examination Of The Role Of BH3-only Proteins.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,755.00
Summary
Our ability to prevent or postpone menopause following cancer treatment, is of great importance for female fertility, health and quality of life. We will demonstrate that the death gene of the Bcl-2 family of life and death genes, Puma, is responsible for killing female germ cells after damaging treatment. When Puma is absent, sufficient high quality germ cells are able to survive damaging treatment, allowing normal fertility in mice. The quality of these rescued germ cells will be analysed in d ....Our ability to prevent or postpone menopause following cancer treatment, is of great importance for female fertility, health and quality of life. We will demonstrate that the death gene of the Bcl-2 family of life and death genes, Puma, is responsible for killing female germ cells after damaging treatment. When Puma is absent, sufficient high quality germ cells are able to survive damaging treatment, allowing normal fertility in mice. The quality of these rescued germ cells will be analysed in detail.Read moreRead less
Macrophages In Developmental Programming Of Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,386.00
Summary
Programming of reproductive health in women begins long before sexual maturity. Development during childhood, puberty and adulthood produces a fully functional reproductive system capable of conceiving, gestating and nurturing a child. This project will investigate the role of immune cells known as macrophages in the reproductive system, and investigate how their disruption might influence developmental programming and have lifetime consequences for the reproductive health of the individual.
This project will test the proposal that rising follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in ageing females directly accelerate reproductive failure and bone loss , major public health issues due to delayed childbearing and our rising ageing population. We have developed a unique mouse model with elevated FSH levels that cause premature female infertility. We will now use this model to determine the direct effects of high FSH upon ovarian and uterine function, as well as bone loss with age.
Sensory Neuronal Pathways From The Lower Genital Tract Of Females
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,224.00
Summary
Many women experience severe debilitating pain upon normally innocuous contact with their genitalia. The causes of this pain are unknown. Therefore, this project will use a suite of sophisticated microscopic and electrical recording techniques to identify the neural pathways that transmit sensation, including pain, from the female lower genital tract. Our new data will help create a rational basis for understanding and treating the physical basis of genital pain in women.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is vital for egg development, female fertility and health, and is widely used in assisted reproduction technology. But high levels of FSH are associated with premature infertility and menopause, and may lead to diseases like ovarian cancer. Understanding the biological pathways activated by elevated FSH may lead to new treatments for infertility and ovarian diseases (eg. cancer), as well as advancing new strategies for contraception.
Uptake of fertility preservation procedures (eg. egg and embryo freezing) prior to cancer treatment is increasing and women will return to use these to try to conceive. Radiation may damage the uterus and there is insufficient evidence to guide the management of those exposed to intermediate doses. The aim is to improve understanding of radiation effects on the uterus which will assist clinicians with deciding whether it can support a pregnancy, or if surrogacy should be advised.