Projects / Programmes
Human Reproduction – Experimental And Laboratory Aspects
July 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.05.00 |
Medical sciences |
Human reproduction |
|
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| 2.07.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Computer science and informatics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B450 |
Biomedical sciences |
Development biology, teratology, ontogeny, embryology (human) |
| B220 |
Biomedical sciences |
Genetics, cytogenetics |
Infertility; immature oocyte; oocyte maturation in vitro; clinical factors; ultrasonographic characteristics of antral follicles; computer models; cell and embryo morphology; embryonic metabolism; success of procedure; implantation markers; infants – development, genetics; urinary anomalies; arterial hypertension; glioma; xenotransplant; animal model; cysteine cathepsins; inhibitors
Researchers (19)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
In future the puncture of immature oocytes and their maturation in vitro (IVM) could replace the usual protocols of ovulation stimulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. This method could simplify the procedure of oocyte retrieval in IVF procedures, as maturation of immature oocytes obtained from an unstimulated ovary nullifies the possibility of ovarian hyperstimulation and other side effects of gonadotropins while decreasing the cost of the IVF procedure.
In the IVM procedure immature oocytes are matured from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage to the stage of a mature oocyte, which is in metaphase II. A comparison of oocytes that matured in vitro with oocytes that matured in vivo shows no differences at the level of maturation of the nucleus, fertilization and cleavage stage, but the share of pregnancies per cycle in IVM procedures is considerably lower compared to IVF/ICSI procedures, which gives rise to numerous questions.
We wish to assess the impact of specific clinical factors on the success of the IVM procedure, analyze the effect of hormone levels and analyze the morphologic changes of the oocyte in the maturation process.
With a computer program for automatic analysis of the echographic image of the ovary we wish to analyze the dynamics of the appearance of a cohort of antral follicles in natural and stimulated cycles.
Antigen CA 125 is secreted by mesothelial cells, among them are cells of ovarian surface epithelium. Beside in serum and in ascites, antigen CA 125 can also be found in follicular fluid, but for the time being its physiologic role remains unknown. Presumably the changes in the concentration of CA 125 in follicular fluid are connected with hormonal changes occurring in natural and particularly in stimulated cycles.
Previous research suggested that CA 125 plays no significant role in women conceiving after an IVF procedure. On the other hand, some authors observed that CA 125 values were directly associated with the thickness of the endometrium and with ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS).
Infants born after the ART procedure will be followed prospectively. We will also establish the characteristics of their development and note any manifestations of anomalies or lesions.
With the analysis of genetic factors in the occurrence of urinary anomalies we wish to include families (150) in which urinary anomalies are present, and by means of genetic analysis we aim to discover the genes involved. With the method of indirect genetic analysis – determination of linkage disequilibrium – we intend to determine the connection between those regions in the human genome that might contain key genes and the specific phenotypes of urinary anomalies. With a mutation analysis of individual genes from thus identified regions we wish to confirm or refute the role of genes in the process of the occurrence of urinary anomalies.
Gliomas are the most frequent brain tumors. Invasiveness is an important biologic property of the malignant cell. It includes the capacity of decomposition of the extracellular matrix and the basal membrane. We presume that among other things the process of invasion involves a change in activity and regulation of some types of proteolytic enzymes and of their endogenous inhibitors. So far the role of proteolytic enzymes in brain tumor invasion has not been much investigated. We have already studied the presence and distribution of lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin B and its cellular inhibitor stefin A in gliomas. Research was also carried out on other tumors (meningiomas and adenomas) and other proteases (cathepsin L).
Significance for science
Field: Reproductive medicine In vitro maturation is important therapeutic possibility for PCOS patients treated with ART. Oocyte in vitro maturation is successful in patients with normal ovaries and regular menstrual cycle as well as in those with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinically the method of in vitro maturation of oocytes in IVF procedures is particularly justified in patients with PCOS. The hCG priming protocol proved the most successful hormone priming protocol for patients prior to puncture of immature follicles. Field: Neurosurgery The use of prognostic markers in patients with primary brain tumors is an additional tool for decision about the optimal treatment plan for individual patient. Field: Pediatrics As research team we are joining to the efforts to discover candidate genes for vesicoureteral reflux and essential arterial hypertension.
Significance for the country
Field: Reproductive medicine IVM was introduced in clinical practice in Slovenia for the first time. Now is part of routine clinical practace in PCOS patients. Field: Neurosurgery In order to improve the diagnostic and treatment options for patients with various central nervous system disorders new diagnostic (stereotaxy, immunohistochemistry) and treatment (neuromodulation, stereotactic localization) techniques have been introduced in regular clinical practice. Field: Pediatrics If we would be successful in discovering some candidate genes for vesicoureteric reflux, we could in this way put the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux and the invasive investigations would not be necessary anymore.
Most important scientific results
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Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
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