I am a perinatal physiologist who specializes in determining the factors that cause fetal and neonatal brain damage, and in devising treatments to prevent this for application in pregnant women and the neonate.
This project is about the way that the brain controls reproduction. It is important because there is no known cause for infertility in a significant number people with such a problem. The project should inform us on new ways to manage particular forms of reproductive failure.
Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH); A Negative Regulator Of Reproduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$752,936.00
Summary
Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a short peptide of 8 amino acids that is produced by the brain and acts in a negative manner on brain and pituitary cells that control reproduction. This project aims to elucidate the role of GnIH in normal physiology and in states of stress and negative metabolic state. Work will be carried out in various species to define the function of the peptide and also to investigate ways that it can be utilised to prevent reproduction.
Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone As A Major Regulator Of Reproduction In Mammals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,378.00
Summary
Reproduction is controlled by the brain and it has been well established that gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the primary stimulatory factor. GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and secrete hormones that, in turn, stimulate the ovaries and testes. It is becoming clear that the brain also produces an inhibitory factor and this project aims to establish that it (gonadotropin inhibitory hormone; GnIH) is functional in mammals.
Kisspeptin And Its Receptor Mastermind Reproduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,979.00
Summary
Reproduction is controlled by the brain and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the primary stimulatory factor. Finding critical regulators of GnRH has remained the most important goal for reproductive endocrinologists for over 30 years. The brain peptide hormone called kisspeptin and its receptor Kiss1R appear vital in the control of reproduction. This project will detail the role kisspeptin and Kiss1R play in controlling hormones from the brain that govern puberty and reproduction.
Neuroendocrine Mechanisms By Which Leptin Regulates Reproduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,750.00
Summary
The reproductive system is sensitive to alterations in body weight. In particular, low body weight causes the reproductive system to cease functioning. This is because the brain 'senses' metabolic status and responds by ceasing to secrete the brain hormone that drives the reproductive process. This hormone is gonadotropin releasing hormone that acts on the pituitary gland to control the release of gonadotropins. These, in turn, act on the gonads. How the brain perceives metabolic status is not k ....The reproductive system is sensitive to alterations in body weight. In particular, low body weight causes the reproductive system to cease functioning. This is because the brain 'senses' metabolic status and responds by ceasing to secrete the brain hormone that drives the reproductive process. This hormone is gonadotropin releasing hormone that acts on the pituitary gland to control the release of gonadotropins. These, in turn, act on the gonads. How the brain perceives metabolic status is not known. Leptin is a hormone that is produced by fat and acts on the brain. This appears to be one of the means by which the reproductive system is regulated. Leptin also regulates food intake and other brain processes. Leptin acts on specific cell types in the brain. Some of these may have dual function to regulated appetite as well as reproduction. The present proposal is for work to determine mechanisms within the brain that are altered by leptin. We will also determine which specific mechanisms relate to the regulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone. The work will provide information on how putative appetite regulators might affect the reproductive axis. Such work will provide a platform for design of pharmaceutical means to manipulate the reproductive axis and will impact on the design of drugs that regulate obesity. It is possible that drugs that developed to control obesity may affect the reproductive axis and the project will identify these.Read moreRead less