Nadine Richings | Monash University (original) (raw)
Papers by Nadine Richings
Human Reproduction, Jun 1, 1997
Introduction: Cervical IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis surface components (Ct), the 10 kD... more Introduction: Cervical IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis surface components (Ct), the 10 kDa heat shock protein (hsplO) and the 60 kDa heat shock protein (hsp60) are all associated with poor IVF outcome. Because women with tubal occlusions have an increased prevalence of chlamydial infections, we examined the relationship between tubal occlusion ± hydrosalpinx, serum IgG antibodies to Ct, hsp 10 and hsp60, and IVF outcome.
Here we report the first use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a marsupial, the tamm... more Here we report the first use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), to achieve in vitro fertilization and cleavage. A single epididymal spermatozoon was injected into the cytoplasm of each mature oocyte collected from Graafian follicles or from the oviduct within hours of ovulation. The day after sperm injec-tion, oocytes were assessed for the presence of pronuclei and polar body extrusion and in vitro development was monitored for up to 4 days. After ICSI, three of four (75%) follicular and four of eight (50%) tubal oocytes underwent cleavage. The cleavage pattern was similar to that previously reported for in vivo fertilized oocytes placed in culture, where development also halted at the 4- to 8-cell stage. One-third of injected oocytes completed the second cleavage division, but only a single embryo reached the 8-cell stage. The success of ICSI in the tammar wallaby provided an opportunity to examine the influence of the...
© 2004 Dr. Nadine Maree Richings.The follicle and its enclosed oocyte share intimate and critical... more © 2004 Dr. Nadine Maree Richings.The follicle and its enclosed oocyte share intimate and critical communication that regulates folliculogenesis and produces a mature oocyte. Protein and RNA accumulated in the oocyte during oogenesis control fertilization and direct embryonic development until the embryonic genome activates. Most knowledge of mammalian oocyte biology has been derived from eutherian species. Marsupials deserve more detailed studies because they have a distinct reproductive biology that offers a unique perspective from which to consider mammalian reproduction. The oocyte biology of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, is the focus of research in this thesis. Cold storage, a simple method for transporting ovarian tissue, was evaluated using histological techniques and follicle culture to assess the structure and function of tammar ovarian tissue. In vitro techniques were used to examine and compare: -folliculogenesis in prepubertal and adult animals, - fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes, - and embryo development in follicular and tubal oocytes. Tammar ovaries were placed in cold storage (PBS at 4?C) for 24 or 48 hours. Necrotic changes were minimal in ovarian follicles after cold storage and preantral follicles isolated from ovarian tissue after cold storage grew by similar amounts as non-stored follicles when cultured for 4 days in vitro. Although the general morphology and growth of follicles are unaffected after cold storage for up to 48 hours, the viability of the oocyte is of prime importance. The next important stages of this study were to develop in vitro techniques for follicle culture and for oocyte maturation and fertilization for future assessment of oocytes after cold storage. A defined (serum-free) culture system was developed to grow isolated preantral follicles from prepubertal and adult tammars. FSH promoted follicle growth and antrum formation in follicles from prepubertal tammars. Although FSH promoted growth in follicles from adult tammars, other factors present in serum were required for antrum formation. Therefore, once the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis is mature, hormones and growth factors modify the mechanism of antrum formation. Only follicles that developed an antrum in the presence of serum had granulosa and theca layers that had appropriately differentiated. While FSH stimulates follicle growth in vitro, more complex conditions are required to promote granulosa and theca differentiation. Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was successfully used to compare fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes as well as the development of mature oocytes collected from the ovary (surrounded by zona pellucida) or from the oviduct (surrounded by zona pellucida and mucoid coat). In vitro matured oocytes proceeded though the early stages of fertilization (e.g. sperm nuclear decondensation, pronuclear formation), but not syngamy. After sperm injection, in vivo matured oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage. Oocytes do not lose their ability to fertilize after acquisition of the mucoid coat, since tubal oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage after sperm injection. Follicular oocytes develop as far as the 5-cell stage after sperm injection, but embryos had a large cleavage cavity that hindered cell-cell contact. While the mucoid coat is not required for cleavage, it is important for appropriate cell-cell interaction and normal early development of the embryo. This, the most detailed in vitro study of marsupial oocyte biology, has shown that there are many similarities in the biology of marsupial and eutherian oocytes but that the unique biology of marsupials offers a significant perspective on mammalian reproduction. This work also lays the foundation for the effective use of assisted reproductive techniques for conservation of Australia’s unique mammalian fauna
Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online, 2022
Like other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, the cost of egg freezing (EF) is si... more Like other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, the cost of egg freezing (EF) is significant, presenting a potential barrier to access. Given recent technological advancements and rising demand for EF, it is timely to reassess how EF is funded. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Victoria, Australia and was completed by 656 female individuals. Participants were asked their views on funding for both medical and non-medical EF. The median age of participants was 28 years (interquartile range 23–37 years) and most participants were employed (44% full-time, 28% part-time, 33% students). There was very high support for public funding for medical EF (n = 574, 87%), with 302 (46%) participants indicating support for the complete funding of medical EF through the public system. Views about funding for non-medical EF were more divided; 43 (6%) participants supported full public funding, 235 (36%) supported partial public funding, 150 (23%) supported coverage through private health insurance, and 204 (31%) indicated that non-medical EF should be self-funded. If faced with the decision of what to do with surplus eggs, a high proportion of participants indicated that they would consider donation (71% to research, 59% to a known recipient, 52% to a donor programme), indicating that eggs surplus to requirements could be a potential source of donor eggs. This study provides insights that could inform policy review, and suggests revisiting whether the medical/non-medical distinction is a fair criterion to allocate funding to ART.
AJOB Empirical Bioethics, 2021
ABSTRACT Background Since 2014, many companies have followed the lead of Apple and Facebook and n... more ABSTRACT Background Since 2014, many companies have followed the lead of Apple and Facebook and now offer financial support to female employees to access egg freezing. Australian companies may soon make similar offers. Employer-sponsored egg freezing (ESEF) has raised concerns and there is academic debate about whether ESEF promotes reproductive autonomy or reinforces the ‘career vs. family’ dichotomy. Despite the growing availability of ESEF and significant academic debate, little is known about how ESEF is perceived by the public. The aim of this study was to explore women’s attitudes toward ESEF. Methods Women aged 18-60 years who resided in Victoria, Australia were invited to complete an online, cross-sectional survey investigating views toward egg freezing. Associations between participant demographics and their views about ESEF were assessed using multinominal logistic regression, adjusted for age and free text comments were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The survey was completed by 656 women, median age 28 years (range: 18-60 years). Opinions on the appropriateness of employers offering ESEF were divided (Appropriate: 278, 42%; Inappropriate: 177, 27%; Unsure: 201, 31%). There was significantly less support for ESEF among older participants and those employed part-time (p < 0.05). While some participants saw the potential for ESEF to increase women’s reproductive and career options, others were concerned that ESEF could pressure women to delay childbearing and exacerbate existing inequities in access to ARTs. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that while some women identified risks with ESEF, for many women ESEF is not viewed as theoretically wrong, but rather it may be acceptable under certain conditions; such as with protections around reproductive freedoms and assurances that ESEF is offered alongside other benefits that promote career building and family. We suggest that there may be a role for the State in ensuring that these conditions are met.
Human Reproduction, 2020
STUDY QUESTION What are the cohort trends of women undergoing oocyte cryopreservation (OC)? SUMMA... more STUDY QUESTION What are the cohort trends of women undergoing oocyte cryopreservation (OC)? SUMMARY ANSWER There has been a dramatic increase in OC cycles undertaken each year since 2010, and the demographics of women accessing OC has shifted to a younger age group, but so far very few women have returned to use their cryopreserved oocytes in treatments. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although OC, as a method of fertility preservation, is offered around the world, global data are lacking on who is accessing OC, who is returning to thaw oocytes and whether these trends are changing. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A trinational retrospective cohort study was performed of 31 191 OC cycles and 972 oocyte thaw (OT) cycles undertaken in the USA (2010–2016) and 3673 OC and 517 OT cycles undertaken in Australia/New Zealand (Aus/NZ; 2010–2015). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data were obtained from the USA Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) national registry and the Australia...
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 2020
Egg freezing (EF) technology has improved significantly over the last decade, giving women more c... more Egg freezing (EF) technology has improved significantly over the last decade, giving women more choice over their reproductive futures. Despite this advance, EF brings forth contentious ethical and regulatory issues. Policies controlling access to EF vary around the world and there is a lack of consensus about who should have access and what criteria are relevant in making these decisions. This study aimed to identify views of women about access to EF for both "medical" and "non-medical" risks to infertility. An online survey was administered to women aged between 18 and 60 years in Victoria, Australia between April and May 2018. A total of 1,066 individuals initiated the survey. The median age of the participants was 28 years and 81% were <40 years old. Almost all participants (98%) supported access to medical EF in situations where treatments (e.g. chemotherapy) or illnesses threaten fertility. Support for access to EF for non-medical indications was lower; 75% supported EF for "lack of suitable partner", followed by "financial insecurity to raise a child" (72%) and "career/educational advancement" (65%). Older respondents (aged ≥40 years) were less likely than their younger counterparts to support all indications for non-medical EF. Our findings indicate broad support for EF. However, the variation in support between indications for non-medical EF suggests that individuals do not think about access to EF simply in terms of medical necessity. To reflect public views, future policy may need to consider access to EF beyond the medical/non-medical distinction.
The ovaries of female mammals contain many more oocytes than an animal will ovulate during her re... more The ovaries of female mammals contain many more oocytes than an animal will ovulate during her reproductive lifetime. Though the death of a female means the end of her reproductive output, it may be possible to salvage her reproductive potential by harvesting oocytes post-mortem. This is a particularly pertinent consideration for threatened species. Ovaries can be excised from a deceased female and transported to the laboratory where, in theory, a range of assisted reproductive techniques can be employed to generate live, healthy offspring. This would require the development of a number of techniques including an appropriate culture system to mature the oocytes (in vitro maturation or IVM). The complex requirements of the developing oocyte are not fully understood therefore follicles, which are the structural units in which oocytes grow and mature, are usually cultured rather than isolated oocytes. The development of IVM systems for laboratory and domestic eutherian mammals is well ...
Introduction: Ovarian follicles from prepubertal animals are ideal for in vitro studies as they h... more Introduction: Ovarian follicles from prepubertal animals are ideal for in vitro studies as they have had little extra-ovarian hormonal influence and are therefore like a blank template on which to assess defined culture conditions. Follicles from adult ovaries have been exposed to an indeterminate and varied hormonal environment over a number of ovarian cycles, and their response in vitro may be difficult to interpret. An appropriate culture system can be employed to study the processes of folliculogenesis and atresia and also have applications in species conservation. The application in species conservation requires an understanding of both prepubertal and adult systems. There is only one published report of follicle culture in a marsupial species [1], and while the culture system supported follicular growth, no antral development was observed. The aim of this study was to compare the growth and development of preantral follicles from prepubertal and adult tammar wallabies, Macropu...
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2015
This proceedings report presents the outcomes from an international Workshop designed to establis... more This proceedings report presents the outcomes from an international Workshop designed to establish consensus on the professional status of the Clinical Embryologist, and then to work towards creating international standards that can be referenced by regulators and professional societies around the world. The participants represented a total of 20 countries (Australia,
Wildlife Research, 2003
A 'stunning' technique, combining a rifle shot with spotlighting and hand netting was use... more A 'stunning' technique, combining a rifle shot with spotlighting and hand netting was used for the live-capture of southern hairy-nosed wombats. A successful stun was defined as a rifle shot that resulted in the temporary deafening and disorientation of a wombat. When combined with spotlighting, this technique enabled catchers with nets to approach the wombat undetected to secure an easy capture. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, dew point, light and wind) were examined in order to determine the optimal conditions for the use of this capture procedure. In all, 558 shots were fired, resulting in ~25% of successful stuns. Stunning was primarily affected by temperature and humidity in a normally distributed manner. Stunning was greatest between 12°C and 18°C with a success rate of 40–51%. At temperatures either side of this significantly fewer stuns were achieved, and below 6°C or above 24°C no successful stuns were recorded. Likewise, stunning worked best at humidi...
Theriogenology, 2011
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were first isolated nearly three decades ago from mice, y... more Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were first isolated nearly three decades ago from mice, yet efficient ESC isolation has been limited to rodents and primates to date. We report a novel and robust technique for isolating ESCs from mammalian pre-implantation embryos by altering the epigenotype of embryonic explants and using pressed zona pellucida-free blastocysts. We first examined this technique for murine ESC derivation. Compared with controls, murine ESCs were efficiently derived when explants were exposed to 1 μM 5-azacytidine, an epigenetic modifier that causes DNA demethylation (56.1% vs 31.6%; P < 0.01). Mouse ESCs stained positively for alkaline phosphatase, expressed markers of pluripotency including Oct4, Rex1 and SSEA1 and formed teratomas when injected into Severe Combined Immuno-Deficient (SCID) mice. The approach was subsequently used for bovine ESC derivation. In bovine a higher concentration of 5-azacytidine (5 μM) was required to elicit a response. This technique resulted in up to 18 times more efficient isolation of pluripotent cells than traditional methods (71.4% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001). These putative bovine ESCs expressed OCT4, REX1 mRNA and SSEA-1 and SSEA-4 proteins; and were able to form embryoid bodies in vitro and teratomas when injected in Severe Combined Immuno Deficient (SCID) mice. This is the first report on derivation of ESCs with both in vitro and in vivo differentiation potential in a livestock species.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2006
Cold storage is a simple method for storing and transporting tissues and organs. The reliability ... more Cold storage is a simple method for storing and transporting tissues and organs. The reliability of this method for maintaining structure and function of marsupial ovarian tissue was assessed using histological techniques and follicle culture. Tammar wallaby ovaries were placed in cold storage (phosphate-buffered saline at 4°C) for 24 or 48 h. Although necrotic changes were evident in the germinal epithelium, cortex and interstitial tissue after cold storage, there was little evidence of necrotic changes in ovarian follicles and oocytes appeared normal. Secondary follicles isolated from ovarian tissue after cold storage grew by a similar amount to non-stored follicles when cultured for 4 days in vitro, but no follicles from any group developed to tertiary follicles. Cold storage for up to 24 h had little obvious effect on the structure of ovarian tissue and follicles isolated from this tissue maintained their structure during culture. However, degeneration in culture increased with ...
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 1995
Sperm preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described and the effect of high... more Sperm preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described and the effect of high speed centrifugation during preparation on fertilization rate is evaluated. No significant differences were found in the 2-pronuclear or abnormal fertilization rates between sibling oocytes injected with sperm prepared by swim-up or mini-Percoll combined with high speed centrifugation. The high fertilization rate obtained with both methods indicates that high speed centrifugation is not necessary to prepare sperm for ICSI. Fertilization rates were also compared for sperm obtained from ejaculates, fresh and frozen epididymal aspirates, and testicular biopsies. High fertilization rates were obtained from all groups but they were significantly higher in those oocytes injected with epididymal sperm (78% per oocyte surviving injection). The high fertilization rate with epididymal sperm may reflect sperm quality or may result from the method of sperm preparation for injection. Fertilization a...
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 1995
The outcome of treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described for patients wit... more The outcome of treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described for patients with severe male infertility. In 296 consecutive cycles, a normal fertilization rate of 69% was achieved with 288 cycles (97%) resulting in embryos suitable for transfer. A total of 32 clinical pregnancies were achieved from the transfer of fresh embryos (clinical pregnancy rate of 12% per transfer) and an additional 44 clinical pregnancies were obtained after the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos (clinical pregnancy rate of 16% per transfer). Overall, 57 of the 76 pregnancies were ongoing or delivered. An analysis of outcome in 5 male factor subgroups revealed no significant differences in pregnancy and implantation rates between the categories. However, the fertilization rate was significantly lower in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and significantly higher in those patients for whom epididymal sperm were used for insemination. The treatment of patients with extreme male infer...
Human Reproduction, Jun 1, 1997
Introduction: Cervical IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis surface components (Ct), the 10 kD... more Introduction: Cervical IgA antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis surface components (Ct), the 10 kDa heat shock protein (hsplO) and the 60 kDa heat shock protein (hsp60) are all associated with poor IVF outcome. Because women with tubal occlusions have an increased prevalence of chlamydial infections, we examined the relationship between tubal occlusion ± hydrosalpinx, serum IgG antibodies to Ct, hsp 10 and hsp60, and IVF outcome.
Here we report the first use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a marsupial, the tamm... more Here we report the first use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), to achieve in vitro fertilization and cleavage. A single epididymal spermatozoon was injected into the cytoplasm of each mature oocyte collected from Graafian follicles or from the oviduct within hours of ovulation. The day after sperm injec-tion, oocytes were assessed for the presence of pronuclei and polar body extrusion and in vitro development was monitored for up to 4 days. After ICSI, three of four (75%) follicular and four of eight (50%) tubal oocytes underwent cleavage. The cleavage pattern was similar to that previously reported for in vivo fertilized oocytes placed in culture, where development also halted at the 4- to 8-cell stage. One-third of injected oocytes completed the second cleavage division, but only a single embryo reached the 8-cell stage. The success of ICSI in the tammar wallaby provided an opportunity to examine the influence of the...
© 2004 Dr. Nadine Maree Richings.The follicle and its enclosed oocyte share intimate and critical... more © 2004 Dr. Nadine Maree Richings.The follicle and its enclosed oocyte share intimate and critical communication that regulates folliculogenesis and produces a mature oocyte. Protein and RNA accumulated in the oocyte during oogenesis control fertilization and direct embryonic development until the embryonic genome activates. Most knowledge of mammalian oocyte biology has been derived from eutherian species. Marsupials deserve more detailed studies because they have a distinct reproductive biology that offers a unique perspective from which to consider mammalian reproduction. The oocyte biology of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, is the focus of research in this thesis. Cold storage, a simple method for transporting ovarian tissue, was evaluated using histological techniques and follicle culture to assess the structure and function of tammar ovarian tissue. In vitro techniques were used to examine and compare: -folliculogenesis in prepubertal and adult animals, - fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes, - and embryo development in follicular and tubal oocytes. Tammar ovaries were placed in cold storage (PBS at 4?C) for 24 or 48 hours. Necrotic changes were minimal in ovarian follicles after cold storage and preantral follicles isolated from ovarian tissue after cold storage grew by similar amounts as non-stored follicles when cultured for 4 days in vitro. Although the general morphology and growth of follicles are unaffected after cold storage for up to 48 hours, the viability of the oocyte is of prime importance. The next important stages of this study were to develop in vitro techniques for follicle culture and for oocyte maturation and fertilization for future assessment of oocytes after cold storage. A defined (serum-free) culture system was developed to grow isolated preantral follicles from prepubertal and adult tammars. FSH promoted follicle growth and antrum formation in follicles from prepubertal tammars. Although FSH promoted growth in follicles from adult tammars, other factors present in serum were required for antrum formation. Therefore, once the hypothalmo-pituitary-gonadal axis is mature, hormones and growth factors modify the mechanism of antrum formation. Only follicles that developed an antrum in the presence of serum had granulosa and theca layers that had appropriately differentiated. While FSH stimulates follicle growth in vitro, more complex conditions are required to promote granulosa and theca differentiation. Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was successfully used to compare fertilization of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes as well as the development of mature oocytes collected from the ovary (surrounded by zona pellucida) or from the oviduct (surrounded by zona pellucida and mucoid coat). In vitro matured oocytes proceeded though the early stages of fertilization (e.g. sperm nuclear decondensation, pronuclear formation), but not syngamy. After sperm injection, in vivo matured oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage. Oocytes do not lose their ability to fertilize after acquisition of the mucoid coat, since tubal oocytes cleaved as far as the 8-cell stage after sperm injection. Follicular oocytes develop as far as the 5-cell stage after sperm injection, but embryos had a large cleavage cavity that hindered cell-cell contact. While the mucoid coat is not required for cleavage, it is important for appropriate cell-cell interaction and normal early development of the embryo. This, the most detailed in vitro study of marsupial oocyte biology, has shown that there are many similarities in the biology of marsupial and eutherian oocytes but that the unique biology of marsupials offers a significant perspective on mammalian reproduction. This work also lays the foundation for the effective use of assisted reproductive techniques for conservation of Australia’s unique mammalian fauna
Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online, 2022
Like other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, the cost of egg freezing (EF) is si... more Like other assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, the cost of egg freezing (EF) is significant, presenting a potential barrier to access. Given recent technological advancements and rising demand for EF, it is timely to reassess how EF is funded. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Victoria, Australia and was completed by 656 female individuals. Participants were asked their views on funding for both medical and non-medical EF. The median age of participants was 28 years (interquartile range 23–37 years) and most participants were employed (44% full-time, 28% part-time, 33% students). There was very high support for public funding for medical EF (n = 574, 87%), with 302 (46%) participants indicating support for the complete funding of medical EF through the public system. Views about funding for non-medical EF were more divided; 43 (6%) participants supported full public funding, 235 (36%) supported partial public funding, 150 (23%) supported coverage through private health insurance, and 204 (31%) indicated that non-medical EF should be self-funded. If faced with the decision of what to do with surplus eggs, a high proportion of participants indicated that they would consider donation (71% to research, 59% to a known recipient, 52% to a donor programme), indicating that eggs surplus to requirements could be a potential source of donor eggs. This study provides insights that could inform policy review, and suggests revisiting whether the medical/non-medical distinction is a fair criterion to allocate funding to ART.
AJOB Empirical Bioethics, 2021
ABSTRACT Background Since 2014, many companies have followed the lead of Apple and Facebook and n... more ABSTRACT Background Since 2014, many companies have followed the lead of Apple and Facebook and now offer financial support to female employees to access egg freezing. Australian companies may soon make similar offers. Employer-sponsored egg freezing (ESEF) has raised concerns and there is academic debate about whether ESEF promotes reproductive autonomy or reinforces the ‘career vs. family’ dichotomy. Despite the growing availability of ESEF and significant academic debate, little is known about how ESEF is perceived by the public. The aim of this study was to explore women’s attitudes toward ESEF. Methods Women aged 18-60 years who resided in Victoria, Australia were invited to complete an online, cross-sectional survey investigating views toward egg freezing. Associations between participant demographics and their views about ESEF were assessed using multinominal logistic regression, adjusted for age and free text comments were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The survey was completed by 656 women, median age 28 years (range: 18-60 years). Opinions on the appropriateness of employers offering ESEF were divided (Appropriate: 278, 42%; Inappropriate: 177, 27%; Unsure: 201, 31%). There was significantly less support for ESEF among older participants and those employed part-time (p < 0.05). While some participants saw the potential for ESEF to increase women’s reproductive and career options, others were concerned that ESEF could pressure women to delay childbearing and exacerbate existing inequities in access to ARTs. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that while some women identified risks with ESEF, for many women ESEF is not viewed as theoretically wrong, but rather it may be acceptable under certain conditions; such as with protections around reproductive freedoms and assurances that ESEF is offered alongside other benefits that promote career building and family. We suggest that there may be a role for the State in ensuring that these conditions are met.
Human Reproduction, 2020
STUDY QUESTION What are the cohort trends of women undergoing oocyte cryopreservation (OC)? SUMMA... more STUDY QUESTION What are the cohort trends of women undergoing oocyte cryopreservation (OC)? SUMMARY ANSWER There has been a dramatic increase in OC cycles undertaken each year since 2010, and the demographics of women accessing OC has shifted to a younger age group, but so far very few women have returned to use their cryopreserved oocytes in treatments. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although OC, as a method of fertility preservation, is offered around the world, global data are lacking on who is accessing OC, who is returning to thaw oocytes and whether these trends are changing. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A trinational retrospective cohort study was performed of 31 191 OC cycles and 972 oocyte thaw (OT) cycles undertaken in the USA (2010–2016) and 3673 OC and 517 OT cycles undertaken in Australia/New Zealand (Aus/NZ; 2010–2015). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Data were obtained from the USA Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) national registry and the Australia...
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 2020
Egg freezing (EF) technology has improved significantly over the last decade, giving women more c... more Egg freezing (EF) technology has improved significantly over the last decade, giving women more choice over their reproductive futures. Despite this advance, EF brings forth contentious ethical and regulatory issues. Policies controlling access to EF vary around the world and there is a lack of consensus about who should have access and what criteria are relevant in making these decisions. This study aimed to identify views of women about access to EF for both "medical" and "non-medical" risks to infertility. An online survey was administered to women aged between 18 and 60 years in Victoria, Australia between April and May 2018. A total of 1,066 individuals initiated the survey. The median age of the participants was 28 years and 81% were <40 years old. Almost all participants (98%) supported access to medical EF in situations where treatments (e.g. chemotherapy) or illnesses threaten fertility. Support for access to EF for non-medical indications was lower; 75% supported EF for "lack of suitable partner", followed by "financial insecurity to raise a child" (72%) and "career/educational advancement" (65%). Older respondents (aged ≥40 years) were less likely than their younger counterparts to support all indications for non-medical EF. Our findings indicate broad support for EF. However, the variation in support between indications for non-medical EF suggests that individuals do not think about access to EF simply in terms of medical necessity. To reflect public views, future policy may need to consider access to EF beyond the medical/non-medical distinction.
The ovaries of female mammals contain many more oocytes than an animal will ovulate during her re... more The ovaries of female mammals contain many more oocytes than an animal will ovulate during her reproductive lifetime. Though the death of a female means the end of her reproductive output, it may be possible to salvage her reproductive potential by harvesting oocytes post-mortem. This is a particularly pertinent consideration for threatened species. Ovaries can be excised from a deceased female and transported to the laboratory where, in theory, a range of assisted reproductive techniques can be employed to generate live, healthy offspring. This would require the development of a number of techniques including an appropriate culture system to mature the oocytes (in vitro maturation or IVM). The complex requirements of the developing oocyte are not fully understood therefore follicles, which are the structural units in which oocytes grow and mature, are usually cultured rather than isolated oocytes. The development of IVM systems for laboratory and domestic eutherian mammals is well ...
Introduction: Ovarian follicles from prepubertal animals are ideal for in vitro studies as they h... more Introduction: Ovarian follicles from prepubertal animals are ideal for in vitro studies as they have had little extra-ovarian hormonal influence and are therefore like a blank template on which to assess defined culture conditions. Follicles from adult ovaries have been exposed to an indeterminate and varied hormonal environment over a number of ovarian cycles, and their response in vitro may be difficult to interpret. An appropriate culture system can be employed to study the processes of folliculogenesis and atresia and also have applications in species conservation. The application in species conservation requires an understanding of both prepubertal and adult systems. There is only one published report of follicle culture in a marsupial species [1], and while the culture system supported follicular growth, no antral development was observed. The aim of this study was to compare the growth and development of preantral follicles from prepubertal and adult tammar wallabies, Macropu...
Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2015
This proceedings report presents the outcomes from an international Workshop designed to establis... more This proceedings report presents the outcomes from an international Workshop designed to establish consensus on the professional status of the Clinical Embryologist, and then to work towards creating international standards that can be referenced by regulators and professional societies around the world. The participants represented a total of 20 countries (Australia,
Wildlife Research, 2003
A 'stunning' technique, combining a rifle shot with spotlighting and hand netting was use... more A 'stunning' technique, combining a rifle shot with spotlighting and hand netting was used for the live-capture of southern hairy-nosed wombats. A successful stun was defined as a rifle shot that resulted in the temporary deafening and disorientation of a wombat. When combined with spotlighting, this technique enabled catchers with nets to approach the wombat undetected to secure an easy capture. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, dew point, light and wind) were examined in order to determine the optimal conditions for the use of this capture procedure. In all, 558 shots were fired, resulting in ~25% of successful stuns. Stunning was primarily affected by temperature and humidity in a normally distributed manner. Stunning was greatest between 12°C and 18°C with a success rate of 40–51%. At temperatures either side of this significantly fewer stuns were achieved, and below 6°C or above 24°C no successful stuns were recorded. Likewise, stunning worked best at humidi...
Theriogenology, 2011
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were first isolated nearly three decades ago from mice, y... more Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were first isolated nearly three decades ago from mice, yet efficient ESC isolation has been limited to rodents and primates to date. We report a novel and robust technique for isolating ESCs from mammalian pre-implantation embryos by altering the epigenotype of embryonic explants and using pressed zona pellucida-free blastocysts. We first examined this technique for murine ESC derivation. Compared with controls, murine ESCs were efficiently derived when explants were exposed to 1 μM 5-azacytidine, an epigenetic modifier that causes DNA demethylation (56.1% vs 31.6%; P < 0.01). Mouse ESCs stained positively for alkaline phosphatase, expressed markers of pluripotency including Oct4, Rex1 and SSEA1 and formed teratomas when injected into Severe Combined Immuno-Deficient (SCID) mice. The approach was subsequently used for bovine ESC derivation. In bovine a higher concentration of 5-azacytidine (5 μM) was required to elicit a response. This technique resulted in up to 18 times more efficient isolation of pluripotent cells than traditional methods (71.4% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001). These putative bovine ESCs expressed OCT4, REX1 mRNA and SSEA-1 and SSEA-4 proteins; and were able to form embryoid bodies in vitro and teratomas when injected in Severe Combined Immuno Deficient (SCID) mice. This is the first report on derivation of ESCs with both in vitro and in vivo differentiation potential in a livestock species.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2006
Cold storage is a simple method for storing and transporting tissues and organs. The reliability ... more Cold storage is a simple method for storing and transporting tissues and organs. The reliability of this method for maintaining structure and function of marsupial ovarian tissue was assessed using histological techniques and follicle culture. Tammar wallaby ovaries were placed in cold storage (phosphate-buffered saline at 4°C) for 24 or 48 h. Although necrotic changes were evident in the germinal epithelium, cortex and interstitial tissue after cold storage, there was little evidence of necrotic changes in ovarian follicles and oocytes appeared normal. Secondary follicles isolated from ovarian tissue after cold storage grew by a similar amount to non-stored follicles when cultured for 4 days in vitro, but no follicles from any group developed to tertiary follicles. Cold storage for up to 24 h had little obvious effect on the structure of ovarian tissue and follicles isolated from this tissue maintained their structure during culture. However, degeneration in culture increased with ...
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 1995
Sperm preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described and the effect of high... more Sperm preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described and the effect of high speed centrifugation during preparation on fertilization rate is evaluated. No significant differences were found in the 2-pronuclear or abnormal fertilization rates between sibling oocytes injected with sperm prepared by swim-up or mini-Percoll combined with high speed centrifugation. The high fertilization rate obtained with both methods indicates that high speed centrifugation is not necessary to prepare sperm for ICSI. Fertilization rates were also compared for sperm obtained from ejaculates, fresh and frozen epididymal aspirates, and testicular biopsies. High fertilization rates were obtained from all groups but they were significantly higher in those oocytes injected with epididymal sperm (78% per oocyte surviving injection). The high fertilization rate with epididymal sperm may reflect sperm quality or may result from the method of sperm preparation for injection. Fertilization a...
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 1995
The outcome of treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described for patients wit... more The outcome of treatment by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is described for patients with severe male infertility. In 296 consecutive cycles, a normal fertilization rate of 69% was achieved with 288 cycles (97%) resulting in embryos suitable for transfer. A total of 32 clinical pregnancies were achieved from the transfer of fresh embryos (clinical pregnancy rate of 12% per transfer) and an additional 44 clinical pregnancies were obtained after the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos (clinical pregnancy rate of 16% per transfer). Overall, 57 of the 76 pregnancies were ongoing or delivered. An analysis of outcome in 5 male factor subgroups revealed no significant differences in pregnancy and implantation rates between the categories. However, the fertilization rate was significantly lower in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and significantly higher in those patients for whom epididymal sperm were used for insemination. The treatment of patients with extreme male infer...