Reproduction Abstracts

In photoperiodic species, the pattern of pineal melatonin secretion translates the effects of day length on the annual reproductive cycle. Continuous delivery of exogenous melatonin to sheep during the non-breeding season is known to activate the gonadotrophic axis, and to suppress prolactin secretion through a mechanism involving the pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary gland. Recent studies have revealed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major regulator of an...

GnRH neurons represent the primary neuroendocrine link between the brain and the rest of the reproductive system, and traditionally it has been assumed that a single population of GnRH neurons controls both pusatile LH release as well as the preovulatory LH surge. This view has profoundly influenced our strategies for contraception and for the treatment of infertility in women. Recent data from our laboratory, however, questions the validity of this fundamental assumption. Usi...

Low birth weight observed in the ‘runt’ piglet of the litter compared to its siblings has severe consequences for neonatal and adult development that cannot be remedied post-natally. This study compared the expression of a number of candidates hypothesised to be involved in angiogenesis and placental attachment in porcine endometrial samples.Endometrial tissues supplying the smallest and normal-sized foetuses were collected from large white lan...

Human parturition at term and preterm involves inflammatory and non-inflammatory pathways and includes activation of the intrauterine prostaglandin (PG) cascade, resulting in synchronised membrane rupture, cervical dilation, and myometrial contractility. A key mediator of uterine PG production is the highly inducible enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2 or PTGS2). We have identified steroid receptor coactivator interacting protein (SIP or KANK2) to be highly expressed in human myomet...

Leptin is implicated to be altered in pathological pregnancies. We followed up 312 singleton mothers from 12 to 14 weeks gestation (booking) until delivery. Majority had a normal pregnancy (n=253). Others developed complications (gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): n=13, pregnancy induced hypertension/pre eclampsia (PIH/PE): n=27, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR): n=17, and other: n=2). Plasma leptin at booking visit and in t...