Women are born with a limited supply of eggs and are unable to make new eggs after birth. Because of this, the number and health of eggs established within the ovary early in life influence the length of time for which a female will be fertile, her age at menopause, and the health of her offspring. This project aims to shed some light on the mechanisms that control egg supply and reproductive longevity in women by investigating the role of the cell death protein Bid within the ovary.
I am a basic scientist with an interest in the cellular biology of the ovary, and the roles of the matrix between cells of the ovary in controlling fertility and hormone synthesis.
The Effect Of Oxygen Tension On Primary And Primordial Follicle Activation In The Primate Ovary
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,956.00
Summary
Oncofertility, bridges oncology and reproductive medicine in order to apply new fertility preservation options for young patients with fertility-threatening diseases or treatments. Development of the three dimensional (3-D) tissue culture system for follicle maturation is a novel method of replicating the native environment of the growing egg. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop and optimise an in vitro culture procedure that can be translated to support human follicle development.
The Role Of FSH And FF-MAS In The Induction Of Meiotic Resumption In The Oocyte
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
About one in six couples of reproductive age suffer from reproductive disorders. In a significant proportion of cases, reproductive failure is attributable to a variety of chromosomal and cellular anomalies displayed by the egg, which interfere with the process of fertilization or the capacity of the embryo to grow, implant or develop to term. Because the chances of success of each individual egg are very low, women undergoing IVF therapy are subjected to ovarian stimulation with drugs in order ....About one in six couples of reproductive age suffer from reproductive disorders. In a significant proportion of cases, reproductive failure is attributable to a variety of chromosomal and cellular anomalies displayed by the egg, which interfere with the process of fertilization or the capacity of the embryo to grow, implant or develop to term. Because the chances of success of each individual egg are very low, women undergoing IVF therapy are subjected to ovarian stimulation with drugs in order to produce many eggs, thereby increasing the success rate per treatment cycle. But stimulation of ovarian function involves a number of drawbacks including cost of fertility drugs, continued monitoring, discomfort and risk of complications (eg. ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). It is evident that novel methods for the production of mature eggs in vitro in the absence of ovarian stimulation would mark a breakthrough, making assisted reproduction a more friendly discipline. In general, all IVF patients would benefit from in vitro maturation techniques. In particular, in selected patients (eg. those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome) the advantages of this method might prove to be invaluable, by achieving production of fully viable eggs under controlled conditions, as opposed to in vivo where oocytes generally fail to acquire full competence, having been subjected to an unfavourable hormonal environment. Unfortunately, attempts to treat IVF patients using eggs matured in vitro has been disappointing so far, with only occasional pregnancies reported over the last decade. Clearly, this is due to lack of knowledge of the fundamental events occurring during egg maturation, as well as the paucity of biological material available for experimentation. So, to make in vitro maturation of eggs a successful fertility treatment we undoubtedly need to achieve a more profound insight into the function of the egg, the first step being to focus our attention upon experimental models.Read moreRead less
Positional Candidate Targets For Multiple Ovulation Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$272,036.00
Summary
The frequency of non-identical twins is associated with fertility in individuals and populations, although we know little about mechanisms for twinning or effects on fertility. The likelihood for giving birth to non-identical twins is influenced by genetic factors. The probability of a subsequent twin pregnancy is increased fourfold in mothers of twins and roughly doubled for women whose mother or sister has had non-identical twins. Understanding why some women are more likely to have twins will ....The frequency of non-identical twins is associated with fertility in individuals and populations, although we know little about mechanisms for twinning or effects on fertility. The likelihood for giving birth to non-identical twins is influenced by genetic factors. The probability of a subsequent twin pregnancy is increased fourfold in mothers of twins and roughly doubled for women whose mother or sister has had non-identical twins. Understanding why some women are more likely to have twins will help us find key pathways that control normal ovarian function and important factors that influence success in assisted reproduction. The aim of this project is to search for these genes in families with two sisters who have given birth to non-identical twins. Previous studies have identified one strong target region and two possible regions containing genes for increased twinning. We now have additional families and will examine each region in more detail. We will also look for genes within each region that could be responsible for variation in twin frequency.Read moreRead less
Activation Of GDF9 Regulates Human Folliculogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
GDF9 is a key regulator of fertility in female mammals, as it controls the process of folliculogenesis. In this grant, we will demonstrate the importance of GDF9 in human folliculogenesis, determine the mechanisms that activate GDF9 and show why aberrant GDF9 activation leads to ovarian disorders. Collectively, the outcomes of this proposal will increase our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that regulate ovarian folliculogenesis and provide new avenues to manipulate this process.
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.
Androgen Receptor Activity In Normal And Abnormal Human Ovarian Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,696.00
Summary
Androgens are hormones normally associated with men, but women also produce androgens and they are essential for normal female health and reproduction. Imbalances in female androgen activity could account for approximately 50% of female infertility, but exactly how androgens behave in women is not well understood. Making too much androgen is the most common hormonal problem experienced by women in their reproductive years, and it affects the ovary in a way that can cause infertility. Women with ....Androgens are hormones normally associated with men, but women also produce androgens and they are essential for normal female health and reproduction. Imbalances in female androgen activity could account for approximately 50% of female infertility, but exactly how androgens behave in women is not well understood. Making too much androgen is the most common hormonal problem experienced by women in their reproductive years, and it affects the ovary in a way that can cause infertility. Women with this problem have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gaining weight increases the chance of having problems with fertility and increases the risk of diabetes and heart problems in women with PCOS. The cause of PCOS is unknown, but it can occur in families, which indicates that some genetic factor is involved. On the other hand, the concept that some women do not produce enough androgen is only beginning to emerge and remains a controversial topic among medical experts. Part of the problem with this notion is that normal female androgen levels are very difficult to measure accurately, so no one can say for certain how much is too little. A recent scientific study in female mice indicates that poor androgen action causes infertility early in life because the ovary is ageing too quickly. A similar thing could possibly occur in women, but this has never been scientifically explored. However, we have some early evidence that shows abnormally low androgen levels in infertile women with signs of early aging in the ovary. Our study aims to understand the role that androgens play in normal and abnormal ovarian function. A large part of this study involves investigation of the androgen receptor, a molecule that controls what androgens can do inside body organs. We think that abnormal activity of this receptor will be involved in ovarian diseases that cause infertility in women. This understanding may lead to new means of diagnosing and treating infertility in women.Read moreRead less
Discriminating The Roles Of Inhibin A And B In Reproductive Systems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,576.00
Summary
Inhibin A and B are essential for the regulation of fertility based on their dual inhibitory actions on follicle stimulating hormone secretion by the pituitary and egg and sperm production in the gonads. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in inhibin A and B actions will: (1) identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of reproductive disorders (2) enhance the management of reproductive disorders (3) identify targets for the development of therapeutic means of modulating fertility