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Medically Assisted Fertility Treatment And Infant Outcomes: The Role Of IVF (in Vitro Fertilisation), Ovulation Induction And Subfertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,001.00
Summary
Medically assisted fertility treatment such as IVF and fertility medications account for the birth of at least one in 25 children born in Australia. While the health outcomes of these children are reassuring there is a lack of conclusive findings on the clinical role of IVF and non-IVF treatments and on their safety, particularly the newer forms of IVF. This research will fill this evidence gap, informing patients and clinicians on the safety and effectiveness of fertility treatments.
A significant proportion of mothers give birth assisted by forceps or vacuum extraction (Ventouse) when problems occur during labour. A number of problems such as incontinence, haemorrhoids, persistent perineal pain, incontinence and sexual problems seem to be commoner after birth in mothers who have had an operative vaginal birth. It has been suggested that to avoid these problems more women should have an elective caesarean without going through labour at all. Although caesarean births would p ....A significant proportion of mothers give birth assisted by forceps or vacuum extraction (Ventouse) when problems occur during labour. A number of problems such as incontinence, haemorrhoids, persistent perineal pain, incontinence and sexual problems seem to be commoner after birth in mothers who have had an operative vaginal birth. It has been suggested that to avoid these problems more women should have an elective caesarean without going through labour at all. Although caesarean births would probably avoid the problems listed above caesarean births are not necessarily better for women's health in all ways - and they are much more costly. This study will follow-up 990 women who had an operative birth (vaginal or caesarean) in 1996-8, 'debriefing' after birth and assessment of health status and health problems 6 months after birth. It will assess their subsequent recovery and fertility, review the events of pregnancy, labour and birth in their medical records to identify factors associated with incontinence, perineal pain, haemorrhoids and sexual problems, and review the outcome of any pregnancies since the original study. The study will provide: * better long term information about health problems, recovery, and fertility after caesarean birth and after operative vaginal birth; * stronger evidence on factors during labour associated with incontinence and related problems; * documentation of the reasons why women with incontinence and related problems rarely seek help or treatment from GPs or specialists; * evidence of any long-term effects of 'debriefing' after birth.Read moreRead less
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.
Cohesin: Role In Germ Cell Chromosomal Segregation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,526.00
Summary
At least 10 to 25% of all human fetuses have the wrong number of chromosomes (aneuploidy). Most of these abormal fetuses perish in utero, making it the leading known cause of early pregnancy loss. Aneuploidy is the leading genetic cause of developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Abundant evidence suggests that most of these chromosome abnormalities originate during unequal partitioning of genetic material (chromosomes) in eggs and sperm. The proposed project focuses on two related gen ....At least 10 to 25% of all human fetuses have the wrong number of chromosomes (aneuploidy). Most of these abormal fetuses perish in utero, making it the leading known cause of early pregnancy loss. Aneuploidy is the leading genetic cause of developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Abundant evidence suggests that most of these chromosome abnormalities originate during unequal partitioning of genetic material (chromosomes) in eggs and sperm. The proposed project focuses on two related genes, called Rec8 and Rad21, which we recently discovered in humans and mice. Due to that these genes are essential for chromosome separation in other species and they exists in species as diverse as yeast and humans, they may be responsible for accurate separation of chromosomes in germ cells in mammals. In this proposal, we will determine the role(s) of these molecules in controlling proper chromosome segregation by loss-of-function studies in genetically engineered mice lacking Rec8 and Rad21 genes. By analyzing the chromosomal abnormalities of the cells from these animals, we will gain critical information about the nature of chromosome partitioning disorders in humans.Read moreRead less
Diet And Exercise Intervention For Paternal Obesity Improves Offspring Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,481.00
Summary
Obesity is a growing problem in Western Society and is associated with a large number of metabolic conditions. There is an increasing awareness that a fathers health at the time of conception affects fertility and also the ongoing health of the pregnancy and the ofspring. This study seeks to determine if diet and exercise intervention for overweight or obese males can improve the health of the sperm and therefore the ability to father a pregnancy and the health of the offspring.
Endometrial Receptivity For Embryo Implantation: Proprotein Convertase 6 And Plasma Membrane Remodeling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,344.00
Summary
Implantation of an embryo into the uterus is a key step in establishing pregnancy; it requires a receptive uterus (fertile soil) and a healthy embryo (seed). Implantation failure causes pregnancy loss and infertility, and is also a major limiting factor in IVF. We have established that proprotein convertase 6 (PC6) is a master regulator of uterine receptivity for implantation. We will investigate how PC6 works in a woman’s uterus, and how we can use this knowledge to improve implantation in IVF.