Activation Of GDF9 Regulates Human Folliculogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
GDF9 is a key regulator of fertility in female mammals, as it controls the process of folliculogenesis. In this grant, we will demonstrate the importance of GDF9 in human folliculogenesis, determine the mechanisms that activate GDF9 and show why aberrant GDF9 activation leads to ovarian disorders. Collectively, the outcomes of this proposal will increase our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that regulate ovarian folliculogenesis and provide new avenues to manipulate this process.
Women are born with a limited supply of eggs and are unable to make new eggs after birth. Because of this, the number and health of eggs established within the ovary early in life influence the length of time for which a female will be fertile, her age at menopause, and the health of her offspring. This project aims to shed some light on the mechanisms that control egg supply and reproductive longevity in women by investigating the role of the cell death protein Bid within the ovary.
Development Of A Specific Activin Antagonist For Therapeutic Applications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,287.00
Summary
Activin is a key regulator of homeostasis in several organs and tissues, including ovaries, testes, liver and skin, and alterations in activin�s activity can result in fibrosis, cachexia and cancer. In this grant we propose to develop a specific activin antagonist by modifying the activin A propeptide. This novel reagent could be used to promote liver growth in severe hepatic disease and prevent fibrosis in numerous tissues.
I am a basic scientist with an interest in the cellular biology of the ovary, and the roles of the matrix between cells of the ovary in controlling fertility and hormone synthesis.
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