Intrauterine Ureaplasma Infection During Pregnancy: Fetal Effects And Characteristics Of Ureaplasma Pathogenicity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,097.00
Summary
Ureaplasmas are microorganisms that are commonly found in the urinary tracts of men and women, without any apparent adverse effects; but their presence in amniotic fluid during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The effects that ureaplasmas in the amniotic fluid have on the developing baby before birth are likely to result in illness after birth, but the range of potential effects is unknown. We also know very little about how ureaplasmas themselves ....Ureaplasmas are microorganisms that are commonly found in the urinary tracts of men and women, without any apparent adverse effects; but their presence in amniotic fluid during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The effects that ureaplasmas in the amniotic fluid have on the developing baby before birth are likely to result in illness after birth, but the range of potential effects is unknown. We also know very little about how ureaplasmas themselves manage to infect the fetus and other tissues within the pregnant uterus. Our studies are designed to identify the effects that ureaplasmas in amniotic fluid have on the developing fetus and how common treatments during pregnancy impact on those effects. We will also study ureaplasmas to see what it is about them that allows them to affect the fetus and other uterine tissues. We expect that our studies will lead to better diagnosis and treatment of amniotic ureaplasma infection during pregnancy, and will allow us to better care for babies born after exposure to ureaplasmas before birth.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Sirtuin (SIRT) Proteins In The Mechanisms That Regulate Infection Induced Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$516,430.00
Summary
Being born too early is the major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and accounts for the majority of neonatal deaths. The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in premature birth with a view to future development of clinically useful interventions to reduce the high rates of mortality and long-term disability.
Fetal Cardiovascular Development And The Impact Of Chronic Hypoxia And Fetal Growth Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,232.00
Summary
Low birth weight occurs in 7% of Australian babies and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life. Understanding the mechanisms underlying heart and blood vessel development in low birth weight babies will lead to improved identification and intervention in those individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life, improving heart health for Australians. Reducing cardiovascular disease will improve both quality and quantity of life for Australians.
A NESTED CASE CONTROL STUDY EVALUATING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE FACTOR V LEIDEN GENOTYPE AND ADVERSE PREGANCY OUTCOME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,990.00
Summary
The factor V Leiden gene mutation is present in 1 in 20 of the general population. Recent studies suggest an association between the factor V Leiden gene mutation and adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is currently recommended that women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, including a second or third trimester intrauterine death should be screened for the factor V Leiden mutation. Controlled trials are currently underway assessing efficacy of treatment with anticoagulaton therapy for women w ....The factor V Leiden gene mutation is present in 1 in 20 of the general population. Recent studies suggest an association between the factor V Leiden gene mutation and adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is currently recommended that women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, including a second or third trimester intrauterine death should be screened for the factor V Leiden mutation. Controlled trials are currently underway assessing efficacy of treatment with anticoagulaton therapy for women who screen positive. However, population screening is currently not recommended because we do not know the significance of a factor V leiden gene mutation for women without a previous history of adverse pregnancy outcome. The question of why some women with a factor V Leiden mutation experience recurrent pregnancy loss whereas other women do not remains unanswered. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether the maternal and- or fetal genotype for factor V Leiden influences the risk of first and second trimester miscarriage within a cohort of 25,000 pregnant women. The aim of further research in this area is to identify a subset of women at increased risk of a second or third trimester fetal loss, based on a combination of genetic, acquired and environmental thrombophilic risk factors, who may benefit from prophylactic treatment with anticoagulation therapy.Read moreRead less
I am a reproductive biologist specialised in the cell and molecular biology of placental development in pregnancy. I focus on determining the molecular mechanisms that govern placental invasion, growth and function and how these are altered in defective placentation which underlies common complications of pregnancy that can be life threatening to the mother and her baby compromising a healthy start to life. I am developing screening tests to identify couples at risk to improve patient care.
The Role Of Oxygen Sensing In The Regulation Of Trophoblast Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,323.00
Summary
Normal fetal development requires the placenta to successfully invade the mother's uterus so that the baby can be appropriately nourished. It is well known that a failure of normal placental development is associated with two major complications of pregnancy: pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. This study is designed to discover whether placental cells have special oxygen sensing mechanisms that help them home in to areas where there is high oxygen.
Optimising Lung Surfactant Protein Production In The IUGR Fetus At Risk Of Preterm Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,853.00
Summary
Pregnant women at risk of preterm labour after 24 weeks gestation are increasingly administered glucocorticoids in Australian hospitals in order to promote fetal lung maturation and a successful transition to extrauterine life. Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment reduces overall neonatal mortality, the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and the need for respiratory support. Babies that are born small may not benefit from this treatment in the same way that average size babies benefit.
The Effects Of Maternal Glucocorticoid Administration In Growth Restricted Fetuses.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,946.00
Summary
Antenatal administration of glucocorticoids to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery has been shown to enhance fetal lung maturation. However, glucocorticoids such as betamethasone have a range of potentially deleterious non-pulmonary effects, which include significant alterations in fetal cardiovascular function. This is important because intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses constitute a significant proportion of pregnancies in Australia, are at risk of preterm delivery and are th ....Antenatal administration of glucocorticoids to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery has been shown to enhance fetal lung maturation. However, glucocorticoids such as betamethasone have a range of potentially deleterious non-pulmonary effects, which include significant alterations in fetal cardiovascular function. This is important because intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses constitute a significant proportion of pregnancies in Australia, are at risk of preterm delivery and are therefore likely to receive maternal betamethasone. From both human observations and animal studies, it is well documented that IUGR fetuses demonstrate a range of cardiovascular adaptations that ensure maintenance of oxygen delivery to vital organs despite reduced placental perfusion. However, in recent clinical and experimental studies we have demonstrated that administration of betamethasone to IUGR fetuses induces changes in fetal blood flow that may be detrimental to the IUGR fetus. Specifically, we believe that glucocorticoids may increase the risk of both cardivascular and cerebral damage in the growth restricted fetus. The significance of these findings and the mechanisms regulating these changes remain unclear but they have clear implications for future clinical management. This proposal represents the further development of preliminary experimental studies to examine the effects of betamethasone in the ovine IUGR fetus with future clinical care in mind.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Abnormal Expression Of The IGF2 Gene In Disorders Affectin Foetal Growth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,872.00
Summary
The IGF2 gene is crucial for foetal growth. Only the copy inherited from the father is active, a phenomenon named parental imprinting. In some children with foetal overgrowth or growth retardation, the deregulation of imprinting of the IGF2 gene during the first days of foetal development will influence subsequent growth and will also have major implications in post-natal and adult life. We will investigate the mechanisms resulting in abnormal imprinting of IGF2 early in development.