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.
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.
Manipulating Ovarian Follicle - Oocyte Communication To Control Reproductive Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,424.00
Summary
Ovarian follicles provide the environment supporting oocyte (egg) development. Communication between cells of the follicle and oocytes modulate this environment. We discovered new cell surface molecules that receive the signals from the oocyte and we identified a class of drug compounds that can modulate this signalling. This discovery offers a unique potential to therapeutically intervene in this signalling process and both improve infertility therapies and develop new non-steroidal contracepti ....Ovarian follicles provide the environment supporting oocyte (egg) development. Communication between cells of the follicle and oocytes modulate this environment. We discovered new cell surface molecules that receive the signals from the oocyte and we identified a class of drug compounds that can modulate this signalling. This discovery offers a unique potential to therapeutically intervene in this signalling process and both improve infertility therapies and develop new non-steroidal contraceptives.Read moreRead less
Simultaneous Targeting Of Contraception And Sexually Transmitted Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$681,380.00
Summary
This research will generate a completely novel topical contraceptive agent that becomes activated on contact with semen and will simultaneously protect the user against both unwanted fertility and sexually transmitted disease. A prototype compound has already been developed and patented. This research is aimed at the chemical optimization of this reagent, analysis of its mechanism-of-action and characterization of its anti-microbial activity against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes simplex and HIV
Modulation Of MicroRNA Activity In The Testis: A New Paradigm For Male Fertility?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,170.00
Summary
Sperm production in the testis is driven by the reproductive hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. In this grant, we will investigate how a new class of molecules, called microRNAs, act to transmit the signals from FSH and testosterone to the cellular machinery of the testis, particularly at junctions between cells. This information has the potential to impact on our understanding of the causes of male infertility.
A BubR1-centred Network For Non-invasively Measuring Human Oocyte Quality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,207.00
Summary
Oocyte quality is the most important determinant of pregnancy outcome. Selecting the best oocytes for fertility treatments like IVF would therefore greatly improve success rates and reduce costs. We have identified master oocyte regulators and have applied novel digital technology to measure these regulators in a single oocyte. This project will apply this expertise to develop new approaches for evaluating an oocyte’s potential thereby informing its suitability for use in fertility treatment.
EGF Peptide Signalling Improves Oocyte Maturation And Quality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,891.00
Summary
Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical ....Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical implementation.Read moreRead less