Uterine Biology Group
 

Research Trial:
Researchers at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton in collaboration with the World Health Organisation are trialing a new male contraceptive method. We need healthy couples living in a stable relationship and not planning pregnancy for two years.
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Identifying new targets for post-coital contraception

The endometrium or lining of the uterus is hostile to the implantation of an embryo except during a few days in each menstrual cycle. Using state-of-the-art technology, the group has identified a number of molecules that are highly regulated at the time of uterine receptivity and using antisense and other technologies are determining their functional importance for embryo implantation. These molecules include proteases, cytokines and calcium-binding proteins. By manipulating these molecules it is likely that this non-receptive state could be maintained throughout the cycle, These studies also have important implications for infertile women, and studies are in progress, to determine whether expression of these molecules are altered in infertile women. This may lead to new treatments to alleviate infertility.

One of the genes we have identified is an entirely unknown protease, and studies are also in progress to determine its structure and biochemical actions.


















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