Uterine Biology, Implantation and Placental Development

Impaired placentral trophoblast invasion of the endometrium has been implicated in a variety of pregnancy complications including implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, pre-term birth and preeclampsia. Together these complications afflict about one third of couples wishing to achieve pregnancy. These may result from deficient endometrial differentiation, deficient pro-invasive factors in trophoblast or an excess of anti-invasive factors in the endometrium or a combination of factors.

We are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms that control differentiation of the endometrium to create the implantation window and accommodate an invading embryo, placental trophoblast invasion, differentiation and function. This research focuses on the interactions between a variety of growth factors and utilises in vitro and in vivo methods.

Current research programs are directed at:

• The role of cytokines and immune cells in preparing endometrial receptivity and regulating placental development.
• The role of male seminal factors in conditioning the female reproductive tract for pregnancy.
• The effect of specific growth factors on implantation.
• The interaction between the hormone relaxin and other factors to induce decidualization and differentiation of the endometrium.
• Maternal insulin-like growth factors (IGFs): impact on trophoblast invasion, placental function and fetal growth and survival.
• Developing tests to predict risk of pregnancy complications.
• Epigenetic change following perturbations of early pregnancy
• Hormonal control of the myometrium

Key Contacts:
A/Prof Claire Roberts
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A/Prof Sarah Robertson
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Prof Richard Ivell
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A/Prof Bill Breed
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