Improving the efficiency of bovine oocyte maturation in vitro. For the dairy and beef industries, the hundreds of eggs (oocytes) in a high value cow's ovary that fail to produce a pregnancy are a wasted genetic resource. A key technology to unlocking this resource is in vitro maturation of oocytes, but the process is inefficient. One possible cause is that the current approaches to maturing oocytes in vitro do not adequately mimic the natural process in vivo. We will design new systems to matu ....Improving the efficiency of bovine oocyte maturation in vitro. For the dairy and beef industries, the hundreds of eggs (oocytes) in a high value cow's ovary that fail to produce a pregnancy are a wasted genetic resource. A key technology to unlocking this resource is in vitro maturation of oocytes, but the process is inefficient. One possible cause is that the current approaches to maturing oocytes in vitro do not adequately mimic the natural process in vivo. We will design new systems to mature cow oocytes in vitro by altering the chemical composition of maturation medium, thus improving the efficiency of laboratory embryo production and related technologies.Read moreRead less
Dissecting the impact of stress on reproduction: Novel peptide mediates inhibitory effects of stress on female reproduction. This research proposal offers a pioneering opportunity to develop treatments that overcome the negative impact of stress on reproduction. Specifically, knowledge generated in this project will be vital in the development of strategic defences against the impact of stress on reproduction. This project fundamentally addresses Research Priority 2: Promoting and maintaining go ....Dissecting the impact of stress on reproduction: Novel peptide mediates inhibitory effects of stress on female reproduction. This research proposal offers a pioneering opportunity to develop treatments that overcome the negative impact of stress on reproduction. Specifically, knowledge generated in this project will be vital in the development of strategic defences against the impact of stress on reproduction. This project fundamentally addresses Research Priority 2: Promoting and maintaining good health. Given that suppression of reproduction by stress occurs in all mammalian species including humans, domestic animals and wildlife, being able to prevent or overcome stress-induced reproductive dysfunction will generate significant health, social, economic and ecological benefits. Read moreRead less
Male-female Sperm Signalling - A Novel Pathway For Peri-conceptual Health?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,920.00
Summary
This project will investigate a new biological process in reproduction, whereby sperm delivered to the cervix at coitus transmit signalling molecules called microRNAs that influence the female immune response, to increase the chances of conception and pregnancy. We will define the molecular details of this signalling pathway in mouse models, and then determine whether human sperm have a comparable function in ‘priming’ the female body to conceive.
Interactions between cells and extracellular matrix in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the ovarian follicular stratified epithelium. The lining of many mammalian organs and cavities contain cells that can transform into different cells to bring about organ development or repair but if it goes horribly wrong the cells become metastatic cancers. This project examines the key features of this process especially the roles of matrix that develops around the cells in this process.
Development of cloning technology for the Australian Pig Industry. Cloning has the potential to be the most efficient of the reproductive technologies developed for increasing genetic improvement in livestock. Currently up to 5% of cloned embryos develop to term in the pig. This is higher than that reported for cattle and sheep. Moreover the use of this technology in the pig does not appear not to result in the same sorts of problems and losses seen around the time of birth in these species ....Development of cloning technology for the Australian Pig Industry. Cloning has the potential to be the most efficient of the reproductive technologies developed for increasing genetic improvement in livestock. Currently up to 5% of cloned embryos develop to term in the pig. This is higher than that reported for cattle and sheep. Moreover the use of this technology in the pig does not appear not to result in the same sorts of problems and losses seen around the time of birth in these species i.e. the majority of cloned pigs appear normal and are healthy at birth. However before cloning can be used commercially, current efficiencies need to be increased approx two fold for this to be economically viable. The aim of the present study is to improve the efficiency of our current cloning protocol and develop associated technologies such as embryo freezing to facilitate commercialisation. This will ensure that the Australian Pig Industry remains competitive at a pivotal time in its development.Read moreRead less
Embryo genomics for engineering change. The proposed research program will contribute to areas that are critically important for Australia, such as agriculture, animal biodiversity, biomedicine, human health and biosafety. By addressing the high economic losses due to early embryonic mortality in farm animals, results from this research will enhance the competitiveness of Australian agriculture and biomedical research. The establishment of a world class research Centre for Animal Biotechnology a ....Embryo genomics for engineering change. The proposed research program will contribute to areas that are critically important for Australia, such as agriculture, animal biodiversity, biomedicine, human health and biosafety. By addressing the high economic losses due to early embryonic mortality in farm animals, results from this research will enhance the competitiveness of Australian agriculture and biomedical research. The establishment of a world class research Centre for Animal Biotechnology at the University of Adelaide will create a major addition to the national research base. The Centre will develop technology platforms to support various groups across the entire Australian scientific community.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120100304
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Biomimetic systems for species preservation and fertility restoration. Using a novel 3-D culture system the project will examine the biomechanics of ovary follicle and egg development in vitro, generating new knowledge with directly translatable research outcomes. In vitro egg production has implications for human fertility and threatened species preservation, significantly benefitting health and biodiversity in Australia.
Molecular mechanisms for seminal fluid signalling in reproduction. Male seminal fluid regulation of the female reproductive process influences fertility and fecundity in humans and animal species. Infertility and impaired reproductive function is a major economic constraint in livestock industries, and carries a substantial social and public health cost in humans. This research will identify the active signalling molecules in seminal fluid and quantify their importance in reproductive success ....Molecular mechanisms for seminal fluid signalling in reproduction. Male seminal fluid regulation of the female reproductive process influences fertility and fecundity in humans and animal species. Infertility and impaired reproductive function is a major economic constraint in livestock industries, and carries a substantial social and public health cost in humans. This research will identify the active signalling molecules in seminal fluid and quantify their importance in reproductive success and health of offspring. The outcomes will inform development of new diagnostic assays for male fertility, and underpin strategic design of novel fertility treatments and products with applications in the human health and animal breeding industries. Read moreRead less
Male germ line transgenesis and siRNA technology for manipulating genes in domestic species. Professor Shemesh has successfully developed male germ line transgenesis in species such as bovine and chicken. This technology allows genes to be manipulated via sperm in a wide range of animals besides mice, avoiding the need for a female in vitro fertilization regimen. He is curently applying interference RNA (siRNA) transgenically to manipulate genes in vivo. Together these two technologies offer imm ....Male germ line transgenesis and siRNA technology for manipulating genes in domestic species. Professor Shemesh has successfully developed male germ line transgenesis in species such as bovine and chicken. This technology allows genes to be manipulated via sperm in a wide range of animals besides mice, avoiding the need for a female in vitro fertilization regimen. He is curently applying interference RNA (siRNA) transgenically to manipulate genes in vivo. Together these two technologies offer immense possibilities to manipulate a wide range of species for economic, biotechnological or medical research purposes. Professor Shemesh wishes to come to Adelaide to establish these technologies there as parts of ongoing research projects, related to the physiology of the ovarian hormone relaxin in aging research.Read moreRead less
Quantifying the effect of nutrient-gene interaction in utero in key tissues instrumental to productivity and sustainability of the beef industry. The cattle industry occupies 43 per cent of the land mass and provides 13 per cent of rural employment. Nutritional insult in utero affects postnatal reproductive and production traits in cattle and imposes epigenetic modifications. This project investigates the effect upon genes affecting appetite, ovarian development, adipogenesis, myogenesis and pos ....Quantifying the effect of nutrient-gene interaction in utero in key tissues instrumental to productivity and sustainability of the beef industry. The cattle industry occupies 43 per cent of the land mass and provides 13 per cent of rural employment. Nutritional insult in utero affects postnatal reproductive and production traits in cattle and imposes epigenetic modifications. This project investigates the effect upon genes affecting appetite, ovarian development, adipogenesis, myogenesis and post natal growth.Read moreRead less