Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is vital for egg development, female fertility and health, and is widely used in assisted reproduction technology. But high levels of FSH are associated with premature infertility and menopause, and may lead to diseases like ovarian cancer. Understanding the biological pathways activated by elevated FSH may lead to new treatments for infertility and ovarian diseases (eg. cancer), as well as advancing new strategies for contraception.
EGF Peptide Signalling Improves Oocyte Maturation And Quality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,891.00
Summary
Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical ....Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have developed significant new insights into mechanisms regulating egg quality. These insights have allowed us to develop a new approach to infertility treatment - crucially, one that eliminates the need for ovarian hormone therapy used in IVF. This project will investigate the basic mechanisms underlying our new approach to enable safe clinical implementation.Read moreRead less
Infertility is common and although IVF is widely accepted, the procedure is expensive and is associated with health risks. Using laboratory animals, we have made significant advances towards developing new technologies that can mature eggs and produce embryos in vitro, but without women receiving hormone injections. This project will seek means to combine the benefits of two of our existing technologies into one integrated system, to provide hormone-free infertility treatment.
One in five Australian couples experience infertility and poor egg quality is a major contributing factor. Developing eggs in the ovary are surrounded by helper cells and we have discovered a new form of communication between these cells and the egg that regulates egg quality. This project will investigate the details of this dialogue and how it improves egg quality. New knowledge gained from this project will improve our understanding and treatment of infertility and reproductive diseases.
Development Of Engineered Novel Growth Factors For Infertility Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,439.00
Summary
Infertility comes at an enormous social and financial cost to Australian society. The aim of this proposal is to improve the success rate of an innovative technology that matures eggs in the laboratory and so eliminates the need for the hormones normally used in IVF. To achieve this a newly discovered egg-secreted protein first has to be produced in the laboratory.
The Role Of FSH And FF-MAS In The Induction Of Meiotic Resumption In The Oocyte
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
About one in six couples of reproductive age suffer from reproductive disorders. In a significant proportion of cases, reproductive failure is attributable to a variety of chromosomal and cellular anomalies displayed by the egg, which interfere with the process of fertilization or the capacity of the embryo to grow, implant or develop to term. Because the chances of success of each individual egg are very low, women undergoing IVF therapy are subjected to ovarian stimulation with drugs in order ....About one in six couples of reproductive age suffer from reproductive disorders. In a significant proportion of cases, reproductive failure is attributable to a variety of chromosomal and cellular anomalies displayed by the egg, which interfere with the process of fertilization or the capacity of the embryo to grow, implant or develop to term. Because the chances of success of each individual egg are very low, women undergoing IVF therapy are subjected to ovarian stimulation with drugs in order to produce many eggs, thereby increasing the success rate per treatment cycle. But stimulation of ovarian function involves a number of drawbacks including cost of fertility drugs, continued monitoring, discomfort and risk of complications (eg. ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). It is evident that novel methods for the production of mature eggs in vitro in the absence of ovarian stimulation would mark a breakthrough, making assisted reproduction a more friendly discipline. In general, all IVF patients would benefit from in vitro maturation techniques. In particular, in selected patients (eg. those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome) the advantages of this method might prove to be invaluable, by achieving production of fully viable eggs under controlled conditions, as opposed to in vivo where oocytes generally fail to acquire full competence, having been subjected to an unfavourable hormonal environment. Unfortunately, attempts to treat IVF patients using eggs matured in vitro has been disappointing so far, with only occasional pregnancies reported over the last decade. Clearly, this is due to lack of knowledge of the fundamental events occurring during egg maturation, as well as the paucity of biological material available for experimentation. So, to make in vitro maturation of eggs a successful fertility treatment we undoubtedly need to achieve a more profound insight into the function of the egg, the first step being to focus our attention upon experimental models.Read moreRead less
Breastfeeding In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Gestational Diabetes, And Pre-existing Diabetes: Hormonal Physiology, Breastmilk Composition, Epidemiology And Patient Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes (pre-existing or gestational) are important conditions in pregnant women. I intend to explore (through major literature reviews and original research) how they influence the production and composition of breastmilk, how this differs from women without the conditions, and impacts on infant health. I also aim to examine reasons for lactation difficulties in these women, both from a hormonal (basic science) perspective and at a broader (population) level.
Centre For Research Excellence In The Evaluation, Management And Health Care Needs Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Related Health Implications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,595,120.00
Summary
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common condition with major health impacts, affecting one in five young Australian and one in four Indigenous women. This condition has reproductive, metabolic and emotional implications including obesity, infertility, diabetes and poor quality of life. This CRE will bring together a team of collaborative research and translation experts to improve diagnosis, capture vital prevention opportunities, optimise management and improve quality of life.
Why We Have Two Estrogen Receptors: The Role Of ERbeta In Folliculogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,053.00
Summary
The female hormone estrogen acts via receptors ERalpha and ERbeta. Little is known about the genes and proteins regulated by ERbeta. Ovarian granulosa cells and granulosa cell tumours express ERbeta. By studying the biology of normal and malignant granulosa cells we hope to understand the role that ERbeta plays in granulosa cells. These studies will identify areas for the development of new therapeutics or treatment strategies for a range of female-specific conditions including ovarian cancer.
My projects are associated with three research themes: psychological stress, obesity and hypertension. While these projects may appear diverse they are linked, both in terms of the significant co morbidity that they share, and that the underlying pathologies are initiated and sustained, at least in part, by disturbances in sympathetic nervous regulation. My research program will focus on these conditions and, in their content, will aim to develop and implement improved treatment srategies in the ....My projects are associated with three research themes: psychological stress, obesity and hypertension. While these projects may appear diverse they are linked, both in terms of the significant co morbidity that they share, and that the underlying pathologies are initiated and sustained, at least in part, by disturbances in sympathetic nervous regulation. My research program will focus on these conditions and, in their content, will aim to develop and implement improved treatment srategies in these areas of major clinical need.Read moreRead less