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.
The Male Partner Contribution To Pregnancy Immune Tolerance Deficit In Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,462,925.00
Summary
A complication-free pregnancy and birth of a healthy infant depends on adequate preparation of the mother's immune system to tolerate the 'foreign' fetus, Both the mother and the father contribute to establishing optimal immune tolerance. This project will determine the links between specific agents in male seminal fluid and the female immune response, and will make progress towards new diagnostic tests and treatment options for unexplained subfertility and gestational disorders.
Elucidating The Role Of Epididymosomes In The Transfer Of Fertility-modulating Proteins And Regulatory Classes Of RNA To Maturing Spermatozoa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,425.00
Summary
Sperm dysfunction represents a major underlying aetiology associated with male infertility. This proposal seeks to understand the mechanisms responsible for driving the functional maturation of spermatozoa and how these mechanisms are perturbed in response to environmental stressors.