UT Researchers Study New Methods for Infertility Treatment
16.12.2011
University of Tartu researchers have provided ground-breaking new findings about the genetic network that leads to successful embryo implantation - the early stage in human pregnancy, in which an embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus to begin receiving oxygen and nutrients.
The new study, published in the January edition of Molecular Endocrinology, is the first to give a complete overview of which genes and proteins are active during implantation, the molecular workings of which are not well known, reported Postimees.
The findings may help develop new opportunities in treatment for female infertility. A failed implantation is often the reason for an unsuccessful pregnancy, despite the initial fertilization of the ovum. In fact, only a third of fertilized ova that reach the uterus are able to make the adhesion. It is even more difficult in articial insemination.
The Tartu researchers are trying to find out why implantation is sometimes successful and isn't in other times. Their work identifies hundreds of genes and protein interactions that may provide the answer.
“Our mission was to find a protein system from approximately 2.5 million signals,” said Jüri Reimand, one of the project's main researchers who works in Toronto. “That's on par with trying to find a needle in a haystack.”
Anneli Miljan
UT Press Officer
+372 737 5683, +372 515 0184
avalik [ät] ut.ee
www.ut.ee
The new study, published in the January edition of Molecular Endocrinology, is the first to give a complete overview of which genes and proteins are active during implantation, the molecular workings of which are not well known, reported Postimees.
The findings may help develop new opportunities in treatment for female infertility. A failed implantation is often the reason for an unsuccessful pregnancy, despite the initial fertilization of the ovum. In fact, only a third of fertilized ova that reach the uterus are able to make the adhesion. It is even more difficult in articial insemination.
The Tartu researchers are trying to find out why implantation is sometimes successful and isn't in other times. Their work identifies hundreds of genes and protein interactions that may provide the answer.
“Our mission was to find a protein system from approximately 2.5 million signals,” said Jüri Reimand, one of the project's main researchers who works in Toronto. “That's on par with trying to find a needle in a haystack.”
Anneli Miljan
UT Press Officer
+372 737 5683, +372 515 0184
avalik [ät] ut.ee
www.ut.ee