The aim of this project is to determine whether melatonin supplementation has an effect on cumulative pregnancy and delivery rates, allowing for the use of frozen embryos obtained during a melatonin treatment cycle. This will be achieved by a series of experiments designed to investigate the effect of melatonin on follicular fluid and culture media as well as assessing clinical pregnancy rates and delivery rates.
Investigation Of The Mechanisms Underpinning HSPA2 Dysfunction In The Spermatozoa Of Infertile Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,563.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition, that is frequently associated with the production of sperm that have lost their ability to recognize the egg. We have shown that this defect is frequently associated with a deficiency in a specific protein (HSPA2). By determining the mechanisms underpinning the loss of HSPA2, this project will provide powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Embryo implantation is a critical step in establishing pregnancy, requiring stable attachment of an embryo to the uterus. For this to occur, the embryo must be implantation competent and the uterus must be receptive. However, to date, little is known about the interactions between the two that determine a successful implantation in the human. This project will investigate a novel embryo-derived enzyme that drives human implantation. These studies are important to improve infertility treatment.
The Legacy Of The Egg: How Maternal Factors Set Offspring Health And Lifecourse Potential
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,605.00
Summary
Before an oocyte is fertilised, it contains all the material needed to form an embryo, and a legacy of information about its environment. My research aims to discover how oocyte signals, accumulated before conception, determine the health of the future individual; and then harness this knowledge to improve female reproductive health and generate new approaches to treat infertility and to optimise healthy embryo development in all pregnancies.
Understanding Idiopathic Male Infertility: Biomarkers To Assist In The Diagnosis And Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,012.00
Summary
In order to help in the diagnosis of male infertility, we have found several biomarkers that can be readily and quickly used to determine if a mans spermatozoa are infertile. Not only will this save time and money for couples involved in IVF, but help to avoid unnecessary, often invasive medical procedures that are currently used.
Characterisation Of Cumulus Cell Molecular Mediators Of Oocyte Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,896.00
Summary
Many women are poorly fertile because of poor egg quality due to age, disease and lifestyle. IVF can assist, but requires large doses of hormone, which can lead to significant health risks. IVM is an alternative lab technique to IVF, but has very poor success. We discovered that synthetic proteins copied from recently discovered egg proteins can be added to the egg and substantially increase IVM success. Answering why will further will aid treatment for infertile women
Improving The Outcomes For Mothers And Babies After IVF Using Big Data Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,754.00
Summary
This Fellowship by using an array of modern and advanced research methods will evaluate whether IVF is safer and more effective by freezing embryos and transferring them in a subsequent menstrual cycle as compared to transferring the embryo in the same cycle where ovarian stimulation and egg collection have been performed. It will provide high quality evidence that will allow clinicians and patients to make informed choices regarding the safest IVF method for the health of mothers and babies.
Media Formulations To Enhance Embryo Formation In Assisted Reproduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,133.00
Summary
The increasing age of parenthood has led to an explosion in the demand for assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). This procedure has a poor success rate and is limited by the ability of fertilised eggs to mature into early embryos in the lab prior to being transferred into women. We will develop new compounds that improve embryo growth in the clinic, which will improve IVF success rates.
Development Of A Novel Microfluidic Device To Treat Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,397.00
Summary
This research aims to develop a novel technology for the separation of high quality sperm. It is envisaged this will replace existing technology to improve the reproductive outcomes of both humans, as well as animals.