Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28984

Author

Feng, Tian Bin

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1990

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) on ovulation, ovarian growth and ovarian steroidogenesis were examined. Ovulation in rats in response to PMSG was completely blocked by administration of three daily treatments of 1.0 mg CC/rat, but was restored by administration of hCG as a preovulatory LH surge substitute. When the number of treatment days was reduced to two days, 1.0 mg of CC enhanced ovulation in response to PMSG, whereas treatment for one day with the same dose of CC did not affect ovulation.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/30962

Author

Britton, Ann Patricia

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1991

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

A delicate balance of steroid and gonadotrophic hormones is essential for intrafollicular oocyte maturation and successful fertilization and embryonic development. Previous studies have demonstrated that a superovulatory dose of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) has excessive gonadotrophic activity and alters intrafol1icular steroid hormone levels. In a series of four experiments, the morphology of oocytes and embryos retrieved from immature rats, treated with either a low or high dose of PMSG, and mature, cycling rats was compared to determine whether a superovulatory dose of PMSG has an adverse effect on oocyte maturation and subsequent fertilization and embryonic development in immature rats. Morphological criteria for the assessment of intraoviductal oocyte aging were established in the first experiment.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4814

Author

Katagiri, Seiji

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1996

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Superovulation causes detrimental effects, including embryonic loss and implantation failure. This study determined potential roles for insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) in uterine environment regulation and preimplantation development, in conjunction with the detrimental effects of superovulation in the rat. IGF-I may be beneficial to preimplantation embryonic development. IGF-I stimulated embryonic development and metabolism in vitro and increased the rate of implantation and fetal development when the blastocysts were transferred into a receptive uterus.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/7516

Author

Ma, Sai

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1995

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been achieved in several mammalian species, including humans. Using the technique of IVF and embryo transfer, pregnancies can now be established in infertile women and thousands of live births have occurred. However, many of the embryos transferred to the uterus fail to achieve or sustain implantation. The failure of implantation has raised questions about the possible detrimental effect of superovulation on chromosomal complements. In this study, the hypothesis that chromosomal aberrations exist in mouse preimplantation embryos and human unfertilized oocytes after superovulation, was tested. The incidence of aneuploidy in spontaneously ovulated group (5.6%) was similar to that reported by others.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/30974

Author

Ota, Takayo

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2006

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Homeobox genes, which code for families of transcription factors, act at the top of genetic hierarchies. HOX genes specify positional identity during development, and in adult tissues, regulate differentiation and proliferation. Most ovarian carcinomas are derived from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). In contrast to other carcinomas, OSE differentiates further with neoplastic progression and acquires Mtillerian duct-derived epithelial properties. I tested the hypothesis that growth and differentiation in ovarian carcinogenesis are regulated by HOX genes.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6615

Author

Vaananen, Celine Claire

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1997

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

The studies undertaken herewithin sought to characterize the pattern of regulation of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) mRNA levels in the rat ovary. The demonstration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) transcripts in steroidproducing and steroid-dependent tissues suggests that GnRH may be implicated in the modulation of steroid action in those target tissues. Expression of GnRH-R mRNA increases in gonadal tissues and the pituitary with age, supporting the concept of GnRH as a local regulator in the developing rat as well as in the adult.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29313

Author

Wang, Jian

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1989

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that membrane phosphoinositide breakdown may participate in the actions of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on hormone production in the rat ovary. In granulosa cells prelabeled with [³H]-arachidonic acid or [³H]-inositol, treatment with LHRH increased the accumulation of radiolabeled inositol lipids, diacylglycerol and free arachidonic acid, but luteinizing hormone (LH) or cholera toxin did not exert the same effect. Activation of protein kinase C by the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) had a stimulatory action on membrane phosphoinositide breakdown.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/16421

Author

Astanehe, Arezoo

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2005

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

n approximately 40% of ovarian cancers, PIK3CA, which encodes the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is amplified. This amplification correlates with increased PIK3CA transcription, p110α protein expression, and PI3K activity. Moreover, PIK3CA is implicated as an oncogene in ovarian cancers. Another common mutation in ovarian cancer leads to loss of p53 function. Alterations to p53 are known to be involved in tumour development and progression.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/30417

Author

Van der Weyde, Marlene

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1990

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Ritodrine is a beta-adrenergic agonist commonly used to inhibit premature labor contractions in women. The primary goal of ritodrine tocolysis is to prolong gestation, however, other indications may include fetal distress. The purpose of the current study was to examine the metabolic and behavioral effects of ritodrine in the fetus, using the chronically instrumented pregnant sheep as an experimental model. Ritodrine was infused continuously into 11 fetal lambs at a rate of 2.6 ug/minute for a period of 8, 12 or 24 hours. Samples were taken simultaneously at predetermined time periods from a fetal femoral artery, umbilical vein, maternal femoral artery and uterine vein for the analysis of fetal and maternal arterial and umbilical and uterine venous blood gases, acid-base status, hematocrit, ritodrine concentration, uterine and umbilical blood flow, and glucose, lactate and oxygen concentrations and fluxes.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/30021

Author

Poon, Song Ling

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2010

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

It is increasingly apparent that GnRH-II acts as an autocrine/paracrine regulator in non-pituitary tissues, in addition to its role in the regulation of gonadotropin synthesis, and is an important player in cancer cell biology. High levels of GnRH-II and GnRHR in malignant ovarian tumors as compared with benign ovarian tissues underlies the importance of understanding GnRH-II function in ovarian cancer. In an attempt to define the regulation of GnRH-II in these tissues, we found that a cyclic-AMP responsive element (CRE) is critical for GnRH-II promoter transcription.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/43273

Author

Asghari Roodsari, Alaleh

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2012

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Light microscopy has remained the primary tool for the assessment of embryo quality and the selection of embryos for transfer in clinical IVF practice. Recent studies have suggested that metabolomic profiling of embryo culture media can distinguish human embryos with better implantation potential. We therefore undertook the following study to further assess the usefulness of metabolomic profiling ?spent? embryo culture medium using Raman spectroscopy. Methods: Patients undergoing IVF+/-ICSI treatment from the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health were recruited for study.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6811

Author

Vaananen, Jeffrey Eric

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1997

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

These studies examined the effects of prostaglandin-F[sub 2a] (PGF[sub 2a]) on progesterone and 178-estradiol (estradiol) production, as well as DNA and PGF[sub 2a]-receptor (PGF[sub 2a]-R) mRNA levels, in the human granulosa-luteal cell (GLC). Additionally, the interactions of PGF[sub 2a] with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) were examined, with respect to progesterone and estradiol production.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28961

Author

Shi, Fengtao

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2010

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Activin A (homodimer of inhibin βA-subunit) is known to increase inhibin βB-subunit and inhibin B (heterodimer of inhibin α- and βB-subunit) levels and decrease progesterone accumulation in human granulosa cells. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is a potent paracrine regulator of ovarian function, but its overall effects, particularly relating to activin A actions, are unknown. We examined the potential crosstalk between activin A and GDF9 in primary cultures of human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. Pretreatment of hGL cells with GDF9 for 24 h resulted in an increased expression of activin receptors and Smad2/3, and decreased inhibitory Smad7 activity. These effects were attenuated by BMP type II receptor ectodomain (BMPR2 ECD), a GDF9 antagonist.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/6844

Author

Menzies, Jennifer Marie

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2009

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

This research responded to the need to define evidence-based criteria of maternal risk by developing a model - the Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk (or PIERS) model ? that predicts a combined adverse maternal outcome (mortality and/or significant morbidities) within 48 hour of, and up to seven days after, admission with pre-eclampsia (study eligibility)

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Copies

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/44653

Author

Nguyen, Tuan-Anh Thi

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2013

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Human newborns exposed in utero to maternally administered SSRIs such as fluoxetine (FX) have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including poor neonatal adaptation. This comprises respiratory difficulty, jitteriness, cyanosis when feeding and persists for several days after birth. Several potential mechanisms underlying these symptoms have been proposed: 1) acute toxicity to the drugs (i.e. serotonin syndrome), 2) withdrawal syndrome due to the sudden discontinuation of maternal-fetal placental drug transfer at birth or 3) an SSRIs-elicited alteration in fetal brain development. However, the actual mechanism has not been elucidated.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28623

Author

Bergen, Hugo Theodore

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1988

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

An excitatory role for norepinephrine (NE) in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) release was first suggested when it was demonstrated that noradrenergic receptor antagonists were able to block ovulation. More recently it has been proposed that NE has both an excitatory role and an inhibitory role in the neuroendocrine regulation of LH release. The excitatory effects may be mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptors and the inhibitory effects may be mediated via beta-adrenergic receptors. These experiments were performed to better understand the role of NE, the receptor type through which NE exerts its effects, and the role of the two major NE pathways in the brain, on LH secretion in the rat.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/32234

Author

Press, Joshua Zephyr

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2006

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Loss of BRCA1/BRCA2 function through genetic or epigenetic mechanisms is common in epithelial ovarian carcinomas (EOC), but because there are multiple potential mechanisms of loss, the overall frequency is unknown. We characterized loss of BRCA1/BRCA2 at the DNA, RNA and protein level from an unselected, consecutive series 49 non-mucinous, invasive EOC. BRCAl-loss was found in 21/49 tumors (43%).

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29416

Author

Little, Marie-Terese E.

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1990

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that cholesterol is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Since the atherosclerotic plaque develops over a long period interventions early in life may be of some benefit. In addition, it has been shown that the enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism can be manipulated in early life. Therefore, studies of the developmental patterns of the key enzymes in cholesterol metabolism are of great importance. Acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is the primary enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of free cholesterol to cholesterol esters in cells.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/9760

Author

Ong, Aldrich Dixon

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

1999

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer in the Western world, but comparatively little is known about its development. Epithelial ovarian carcinomas are thought to originate in the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), i.e. the mesothelium covering the ovary, but experimental evidence for this origin has been lacking. Contrary to most epithelia where neoplastic progression is associated with loss of E-cadherin, this cell-cell adhesion molecule is sparse in normal human OSE but its expression increases in ovarian epithelial metaplasia and neoplasia.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf

Website

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/42242

Author

So, Wai Kin

Place of Publication

[Vancouver, BC?]

Publisher

University of British Columbia

Publication Date

2012

Subject

Faculty of Medicine

Theses

Abstract

Aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity contributes to the development of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), a common and lethal female malignancy. Elucidating the regulation of EGFR function will improve treatments for EOC and the survival of patients. This study aims to elucidate the role of Sprouty (SPRY) proteins, which are EGFR regulators, in EOC.

Language

English

Material Type

Thesis

Call Number

Thesis Shelf