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Risk Of Birth Defects In Children Born Following Infertility Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,962.00
Summary
The development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for infertility treatment has advanced at a tremendous pace since late 1970's. The use of ART is becoming increasingly frequent, with Australia having one of the highest rates of use internationally. Over 4,000 births result from ART annually in Australia. At the same time, minimally invasive infertility treatment-ovulation induction and insemination, remains a main option for some infertile couples and also generates several thousand bir ....The development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for infertility treatment has advanced at a tremendous pace since late 1970's. The use of ART is becoming increasingly frequent, with Australia having one of the highest rates of use internationally. Over 4,000 births result from ART annually in Australia. At the same time, minimally invasive infertility treatment-ovulation induction and insemination, remains a main option for some infertile couples and also generates several thousand births annually. A fundamental concern for those involved in infertility treatment is the health of the children born following the treatment. Evidence from many studies indicates that compared to the general population, ART babies are more likely to be a twin or triplet, have a low birth weight, be born premature, and suffer higher rates of perinatal death and cerebral palsy. These issues are gradually being addressed by transferring a single embryo in a cycle. Of greater concern is the recent reporting by a Western Australian team that the risk of major birth defects is doubled in ART children. This is a highly significant finding that has raised concern in patients and clinicians. It is imperative to verify the findings through replication in a larger study. It is equally important to identify whether the increased risk is due to potentially modifiable treatment factors or patient factors related to their infertility. This innovative study will therefore also separate patient characteristics and type of treatment, and partition the risk attributable to various factors. The health of children from infertility treatments is of fundamental concern and has become an important public health issue. This study will direct future basic research in embryology and clinical services where there is a continual need to balance technical innovation and efficacy with treatment safety. The long-term benefit will be improvement of the health status of Australian families.Read moreRead less
IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF PLEURAL EFFUSIONS - FROM OUTPATIENT CLINIC TO INTENSIVE CARE.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,891.00
Summary
Pleural effusions (PE) are collections of fluid around the lung. They are common in patients in intensive care (ICU) and in patients with metastatic cancer. Some pleural effusions resolve with medications, others require drainage procedures which have risks including lung damage, bleeding or infection which can be dangerous, especially in critically ill (ICU) patients. This proposal aims to optimise treatment decisions for PE in the ICU and cancer settings.
Therapeutic Treatment Pathways And Their Impact On Medicine Safety And Effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,070.00
Summary
In clinical trials medicines are assumed to be used regularly with a set dose over the duration of the study. However, in real life medicines are used in different doses, over different durations and together with other medicines, which affect the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. The aim of this proposed research is to evaluate how different treatment pathways impact medicine safety and effectiveness. This project will provide new information on safety and effectiveness of treatment pa ....In clinical trials medicines are assumed to be used regularly with a set dose over the duration of the study. However, in real life medicines are used in different doses, over different durations and together with other medicines, which affect the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. The aim of this proposed research is to evaluate how different treatment pathways impact medicine safety and effectiveness. This project will provide new information on safety and effectiveness of treatment pathways.Read moreRead less
Transplantation of frozen ovarian tissue is being used by young patients at risk of losing ovarian function. This study aims to maximize the likelihood that patients who have ovarian tissue collected, frozen and returned will acheive the desired outcome of returning ovarian hormonal cyclicity, ovulation, or fertility.
PRE CLINICAL TRIAL WITH FETAL PIG INSULIN-PRODUCING CELLS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,416.00
Summary
If fetal pig cells are to be of value in normalizing blood glucose levels in diabetic people once transplanted, they must survive and mature after being grafted. The pre-clinical study proposed will examine several novel issues that are of direct relevance to future clinical trials. The diabetic pig will be used as recipient to address when the fetal cell matures after it is transplanted, how long the grafted cells will maintain normal blood glucose levels, and at which site it is most appropria ....If fetal pig cells are to be of value in normalizing blood glucose levels in diabetic people once transplanted, they must survive and mature after being grafted. The pre-clinical study proposed will examine several novel issues that are of direct relevance to future clinical trials. The diabetic pig will be used as recipient to address when the fetal cell matures after it is transplanted, how long the grafted cells will maintain normal blood glucose levels, and at which site it is most appropriate to transplant the cells. The baboon will be used as recipient to address the safety of transplanting the pig cells, especially from the pig endogenous retrovirus, and whether the immunosuppressive regime proposed for use in humans will prevent cellular rejection. The diabetic baboon will be used in the final experiment step to determine if normalization of blood glucose levels can be achieved in this xenografted animal just as it can in the diabetic pig.Read moreRead less
Successful establishment of pregnancy requires a viable embryo and a receptive uterus. The contribution that reduced uterine receptivity makes to human infertility is unknown. IVF patients with implantation failure will be investigated using different approaches to identify gene pathways that are altered in reduced uterine receptivity. This study could lead to a clinical test for uterine receptivity and help to improve fertility treatment options for women with repeated implantation failure.
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.
An evaluation of the environmental health risk of heatwaves associated with global warming. Global warming is associated with an increased frequency of severe weather events including frequent and severe heatwaves. Previous studies have demonstrated that heatwaves are amongst the most deadly disasters to affect the community. This study will identify those members of the community who are most at risk from heatwaves so that strategies may be identified and implemented by governments to protect t ....An evaluation of the environmental health risk of heatwaves associated with global warming. Global warming is associated with an increased frequency of severe weather events including frequent and severe heatwaves. Previous studies have demonstrated that heatwaves are amongst the most deadly disasters to affect the community. This study will identify those members of the community who are most at risk from heatwaves so that strategies may be identified and implemented by governments to protect those people during severe heatwave conditions. The direct benefit to the community will be reduced mortality and morbidity and the consequential reductions in the cost of community and health support services.Read moreRead less
Targeted Disruption Of Lipoxygenase Enzymes To Prevent Oxidative Stress-mediated Pathologies In The Male Germline
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
An estimated 80 million individuals suffer from infertility globally with at least 50% of these cases due to defects in sperm function. Unfortunately, due to a severe lack of knowledge surrounding sperm biology and dysfunction, no successful curative or preventative measures have been established. My project will study why sperm cells die and investigate new ways to limit cellular stress so we can develop new therapeutic strategies to mitigate the growing problems in male reproductive health.