COOPERATIVE RESEARCH ON INFERTILITY IN PRIMATES (U54)

这个子项目是利用这些资源的众多研究子项目之一

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. Primary support for the subproject and the subproject's principal investigator may have been provided by other sources, including other NIH sources. The Total Cost listed for the subproject likely represents the estimated amount of Center infrastructure utilized by the subproject, not direct funding provided by the NCRR grant to the subproject or subproject staff. ONPRC's Specialized Cooperative Center (U54) in Infertility and Reproduction Research addresses the causes and cures of human infertility disorders as they pertain to neural, gonadal and gamete deficits. Each research project utilizes nonhuman primates in translational research, and two contain clinical components that relate new information to women's health. Project I, "Effect of Common Stresses on Fertility" investigates the neuroendocrine and gonadal lesions associated with a combination of mild forms of stress (e.g., dieting, psychosocial changes). Project II, "Novel Mechanisms Underlying the Transsynaptic Control of LHRH Release" continues genetic and cellular manipulations to evaluate the role of GABA input, and other novel genes (e.g., IAP-1) in neuronal pathways, in controlling LHRH neurons and reproductive cyclicity. Project III, "Angiogenic and Angiolytic Factors in Natural and Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) Cycles" examines the expression and action of angiopoietin (Ang) and endocrine gland (EG)-VEGF in the follicle and corpus luteum, and whether alterations in Ang, EG-VEGF, as well as VEGF-A, cause ovarian disorders, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Project IV, "Androgen Exposure in Female Pre-pubertal Monkeys: Relevance to PCOS?", will determine whether chronic exposure of prepubertal female rhesus monkeys to elevated levels of testosterone causes changes in the neuroendocrine-ovarian axis reminiscent of those observed in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). All projects attempt to relate basic reproductive processes to the etiology and/or treatment of infertility. These projects are supported by three core (Assisted Reproductive Technologies; Imaging & Morphology; Molecular & Cellular Biology) laboratories operating in an "open access" formulation. See individual projects for progress reports and publications.