The aim of this project is to determine whether melatonin supplementation has an effect on cumulative pregnancy and delivery rates, allowing for the use of frozen embryos obtained during a melatonin treatment cycle. This will be achieved by a series of experiments designed to investigate the effect of melatonin on follicular fluid and culture media as well as assessing clinical pregnancy rates and delivery rates.
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.
Novel Function Of Heat Shock Protein 2A In The Regulation Of Human Sperm-egg Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,627.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition affecting around 1 in 20 Australian men. One of the major reasons for this pathology is that the spermatozoa have lost their ability to recognize the egg. In this project we shall investigate whether this defect is due to a deficiency in a specific protein (HSPA2). This project will provide new and powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
The Role Of Dynamin In Spermatogenesis, Sperm Maturation And Sperm-oocyte Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,950.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition affecting 1 in 20 Australian men. One of the major reasons for this pathology is that the spermatozoa have lost their ability to interact with the egg and penetrate its outer vestments. In this project we shall investigate the role of dynamin in the regulation of these events. This research will provide new and powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
The Legacy Of The Egg: How Maternal Factors Set Offspring Health And Lifecourse Potential
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,605.00
Summary
Before an oocyte is fertilised, it contains all the material needed to form an embryo, and a legacy of information about its environment. My research aims to discover how oocyte signals, accumulated before conception, determine the health of the future individual; and then harness this knowledge to improve female reproductive health and generate new approaches to treat infertility and to optimise healthy embryo development in all pregnancies.
The Effect Of Oxygen Tension On Primary And Primordial Follicle Activation In The Primate Ovary
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,956.00
Summary
Oncofertility, bridges oncology and reproductive medicine in order to apply new fertility preservation options for young patients with fertility-threatening diseases or treatments. Development of the three dimensional (3-D) tissue culture system for follicle maturation is a novel method of replicating the native environment of the growing egg. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop and optimise an in vitro culture procedure that can be translated to support human follicle development.
The Role Of MiRNAs In The Regulation Of Sperm Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,157.00
Summary
Male infertility is an extremely common condition affecting 1 in 20 Australian men. One of the major reasons for this pathology is that the spermatozoa have lost their ability to recognize the egg, a function that is acquired during epididymal maturation. In this project we shall investigate the regulation of epididymal sperm maturation and thus provide new and powerful insights into the causes of male infertility, with practical implications for diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Improving Oocyte Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number To Enhance Female Reproductive Capacity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,867.00
Summary
Eggs with too few copies of mitochondrial DNA either fail to fertilise or arrest during early development. By supplementing eggs with mitochondrial DNA, we have been able to enhance embryo quality and gene expression profiles. By breeding the offspring derived from eggs given mitochondrial supplementation, we will determine if they and their progeny meet normal developmental milestones, regulate the transmission of mitochondrial DNA appropriately, and are healthy and fertile.
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.