Changes In Protein Glycosylation Promote Endometrial Receptivity Leading To Successful Implantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,198.00
Summary
~15% of couples are unable to have children. Their reliance on reproductive technologies (eg, IVF) has increased 4 fold over the past decade. One reason for infertility is that the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is not able to allow an embryo to attach – a key event in establishing healthy pregnancy. There is no test to assess whether the endometrium is ‘receptive’ to an embryo. We will develop special assays for a test and provide a basis for treatment without recourse to IVF.
Persistent Chlyamdial Infection In The Testes : Development Of A Successful Vaccine Strategy For Males
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,019.00
Summary
Males are a reservoir of infection and novel vaccine approaches to control Chlamydia infections in young men are needed urgently. This study will be essential for the development of interventions to control infection and will inform strategies for manipulating the immune system within the male reproductive tract that may be applied to other sexually transmitted pathogens. The studies will benefit the health and welfare of the Australian people under National Research Priority 2, promoting and ma ....Males are a reservoir of infection and novel vaccine approaches to control Chlamydia infections in young men are needed urgently. This study will be essential for the development of interventions to control infection and will inform strategies for manipulating the immune system within the male reproductive tract that may be applied to other sexually transmitted pathogens. The studies will benefit the health and welfare of the Australian people under National Research Priority 2, promoting and maintaining good health and a healthy start to life.Read moreRead less
Endometrial Receptivity For Embryo Implantation: Proprotein Convertase 6 And Plasma Membrane Remodeling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,344.00
Summary
Implantation of an embryo into the uterus is a key step in establishing pregnancy; it requires a receptive uterus (fertile soil) and a healthy embryo (seed). Implantation failure causes pregnancy loss and infertility, and is also a major limiting factor in IVF. We have established that proprotein convertase 6 (PC6) is a master regulator of uterine receptivity for implantation. We will investigate how PC6 works in a woman’s uterus, and how we can use this knowledge to improve implantation in IVF.
Leucine-rich Guanylate Kinase Is A Regulator Of Sperm Tail Development And Motile Cilia Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,191.00
Summary
In this grant we will define the function of an uncharacterized protein, LRGUK, in fertility and hydrocephalus (water on the brain). LRGUK has a critical role in sperm development. We will define the cell biology and biochemistry of LRGUK function, we will assess the incidence of LRGUK mutations in human fertility and explore LRGUK function in the brain. Data obtained will have relevance to the 1 in 20 young men who suffer from infertility and the 3 in 1000 children who develop hydrocephalus.
Regulation Of Immune Responses In The Adult Testis And Male Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,857.00
Summary
This project investigates the main inflammatory cell, the macrophage, in male fertility and reproductive health. These studies investigate the macrophages found in the testes and the regulation of their functions required to protect and support the developing sperm. Understanding these processes will lead to new methods for treating male infertility, chronic pain and reproductive tract infections, as well as broader understanding of inflammatory disease, transplantation and autoimmunity.
Novel Function Of Heat Shock Protein 2A In The Regulation Of Human Sperm-egg Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,627.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition affecting around 1 in 20 Australian men. One of the major reasons for this pathology is that the spermatozoa have lost their ability to recognize the egg. In this project we shall investigate whether this defect is due to a deficiency in a specific protein (HSPA2). This project will provide new and powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
6% of Australian men are infertile. Of these cases 50% are thought to be genetic in origin. Within this project we will replicate high-confidence genetic variants associated with human male infertility in the mouse. Doing so will allow the assignment of definitive genotype-phenotype correlations and the formulation of high confidence advice for clinicians and patients. It will also provide a means to define the mechanism of action and the tools for future pro-fertility treatments.
Male Chlamydia Infections: The Key Role Of Macrophages In Testicular Dissemination And Disrupted Spermatogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,464.00
Summary
Male partners of couples seeking IVF, who are seropositive for Chlamydia, indicating a prior infection, often have significantly impaired sperm quality (reduced motility, increased DNA damage and abnormal sperm morphology). Our studies will define how Chlamydia are transported to the testis from the penis and how chronic chlamydial infection in the testis disrupts sperm development. We will also develop new antibiotic delivery systems to improve treatment of male chlamydial infections.
Identification Of Testis-specific Markers Of Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,008.00
Summary
Infertility affects 1 in 20 men, and carries major health and financial burdens. Patient management is difficult because there are no tests to monitor testicular function. While sperm number is normally used, their absence in the ejaculate provides no information whether sperm are present in the testis suitable for IVF, or if sperm production could be ‘kick-started’ with hormones. Our goal is to identify new markers of testis function in blood, and then use them to help treat infertile men.
Katanin P80 Is A Key Regulator Of Microtubule Dynamics And Male Fertility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,756.00
Summary
Male fertility is a complex process requiring the co-ordinated activation of thousands of gene products. It is not surprising therefore that 1 in 15 Australian men are infertile. This project will explore an essential pathways for sperm production, specifically related to sperm shaping and motility. This work may ultimately have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, but also for pathology in tissues will similar cellular structures.