The Importance Of ADAMTS Proteases In Ovulation And Fertility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$205,500.00
Summary
In the ovary eggs are matured within a specialised organ called a follicle. Female fertility is dependent on the efficient release of eggs from the follicle as well as transport of the egg to the site of fertilization. During these processes the egg is encased within a mucous-like cushion made of cells, proteins and complex carbohydrates. This cushion or matrix plays an active role in egg release, transport and fertilization. Proper formation of this cushion just before egg release is therefore ....In the ovary eggs are matured within a specialised organ called a follicle. Female fertility is dependent on the efficient release of eggs from the follicle as well as transport of the egg to the site of fertilization. During these processes the egg is encased within a mucous-like cushion made of cells, proteins and complex carbohydrates. This cushion or matrix plays an active role in egg release, transport and fertilization. Proper formation of this cushion just before egg release is therefore essential for efficient female fertility. This project examines the role of newly identified proteins and protease enzymes that are involved in the formation and function of the matrix cushion around eggs. This has important implications for the causes of infertility in women as well as improving the efficacy of IVF techniques.Read moreRead less
Studies Of The Paracrine Role Of Inhibin A/activin A In Ovulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$226,320.00
Summary
This project aims to study the biochemical processes associated with normal egg maturation and release. Two mouse models will be used. One will involve culturing mouse ovarian tissue and inducing ovulation to study the processes. The other will involve study of gene expression in a mouse ovary around ovulation. The progressive accumulation of knowledge about the processes of ovulation will greatly improve our ability as doctors to manipulate ovulation in clinical practice. This will make an enor ....This project aims to study the biochemical processes associated with normal egg maturation and release. Two mouse models will be used. One will involve culturing mouse ovarian tissue and inducing ovulation to study the processes. The other will involve study of gene expression in a mouse ovary around ovulation. The progressive accumulation of knowledge about the processes of ovulation will greatly improve our ability as doctors to manipulate ovulation in clinical practice. This will make an enormous difference to women s health in the following areas: contraception, the possibility of development of new methods of contraception that block egg release without affecting the normal ovarian cycle endocrinology; fertility treatment, better methods of obtaining mature oocytes without subjecting women to high dose gonadotrophin treatment and the accompanying sequelae; improving knowledge of the factors that promote satisfactory oocyte maturation and embryo development so that with improved implantation rates, fewer embryos need be replaced to achieve a pregnancy.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
Cumulus Cell Invasive Migration: Clearing A Path For The Oocyte
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,684.00
Summary
Ovulation is the process by which the egg is released from a female�s ovary, but it is not known how this process is controlled. We found that cells surrounding the egg are motile and similar to cancer cells; thus we hypothesize that this enables the egg to _invade� its way out of the ovary. We will test this idea in mice and determine whether similar processes are happening in women. The results will provide new information about how to stop ovulation and aid women who experience infertility.
Effects Of Leptin On Follicle Growth And Ovulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,470.00
Summary
Leptin is a recently discovered hormone which is very important in controlling body weight. Extremely obese, or extremely underweight women, find it difficult to become pregnant, and leptin is probably the connection between weight and fertility. This may be a particularly important factor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a distressing condition which affects 5% of women and causes both obesity and infertility. Exciting new research suggests that leptin also affects the immune system, and pr ....Leptin is a recently discovered hormone which is very important in controlling body weight. Extremely obese, or extremely underweight women, find it difficult to become pregnant, and leptin is probably the connection between weight and fertility. This may be a particularly important factor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a distressing condition which affects 5% of women and causes both obesity and infertility. Exciting new research suggests that leptin also affects the immune system, and previous NH and MRC funding has enabled us to demonstrate that the immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining normal ovarian function. The nutritional status of the body, the immune system and the reproductive system all interact, and leptin appears to be the connecting link between these three major systems. We propose that leptin plays a major role in the ovary, and wish to determine how leptin mediates the effects of bodyweight and the immune system on ovarian function. Laboratory rats will be treated with leptin, their food intake and weight recorded, and a few weeks later the rats will have their ovaries removed. We will find out whether ovaries respond to leptin, or whether the ovarian response changes according to the menstrual cycle: perhaps leptin is very important just before ovulation, but it does not affect menstruation? Do any ovarian cells make leptin? Will leptin stimulate ovaries to produce more oestrogen or progesterone, or ovulate more eggs? We will also identify immune system cells in the ovary, and note whether leptin affects them. We will be able to relate all this data to weight and diet. Increased understanding of leptins' effect on the ovary has the potential to lead to new, improved treatments for PCOS or for unexplained cases of infertility. It is also possible that in the future a weight-loss regime might be developed which takes a womans monthly cycle into account, therefore making weight-loss more efficient and attainable.Read moreRead less
Androgen Receptor Mechanims In Female Reproductive Physiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,773.00
Summary
Infertility occurs in one in six Australian couples with 50% attributable to females, thus, enhancing our understanding of ovarian and uterine function is of great importance. This project tests the proposal that androgens (steroid hormones) play a major role in regulating female reproductive physiology through their interaction with the androgen receptor. We have developed novel mouse models which we will use to determine the roles of androgens in regulating female reproductive function.
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