Role of Endogenous Opioid Peptides in Endometrial Receptivity and Placentation [ 2007 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Ursula Manuelpillai (Principal investigator)

Brief description Infertility affects 1 in 10 couples. In early pregancy miscarriage is the commonest complication resulting in the loss of 10-15% of all conceptions. During the latter part of pregnancy, complications such fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, affects up to 10% of women resulting in considerable suffering to the mother and her newborn. Many of these births are premature with neonates requiring intensive care. There is also good evidence that children who are born prematurely with low birth weight are much more likely to develop a host of diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obestiy in adult life increasing the long term burden of health care support. Infertility is often due to the lack of uterine endometrial receptivity while the pregnancy complications arise from the reduced growth of the placenta and sub-optimal interactions between the mother's uterus and the growing placenta. Endometrial infertility, placental growth and interactions with the endometrium is stringently regulated by substances produced at the maternal endometrial- placental interface. To understand how infertility and pregnancy complications arise, develop diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic tests it is critical to understand the roles played by these regulatory substances. We have novel data suggesting that small proteins known as endogenous opioids could be enchancing endometrial receptivity and the growth and development of the placenta. Interstingly these substances are closely related to exogenous opioids such as heroin and morphine. We will investigate the manner in which these substances regulate endometrial immune cell function, maintain the endometrial stromal cell bed in preparation for pregnancy and direct the growth and differentiation of the placenta. The findings will give novel insights into infertility, improve the success rates of in vitro fertilization, reduce maternal and neonatal complications of pregnancy.

Funding Amount $AUD 523,884.61

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes New Investigator Grant