Understanding the role and regulation of follicular fluid miRNAs in ovarian function and polycystic ovarian syndrome. 1

The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a multi-factorial heterogeneous syndrome with complex pathologies, affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and accounts for 75% of anovulatory infertility. PCOS is associated with follicle growth arrest at the early antral stage, chronic anovulation, minimal granulosa cell proliferation, hyperthecosis with hyperandrogenemia, and insulin resistance. The proposed research is to improve our understanding on the complex regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of follicular growth and to gain insights in their dysregulation in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

The proposed studies will show, for the first time, if and how the ovarian exosome dynamics and chemerin-mediated immune modulation by androgen and intra-ovarian regulators control preantral/early antral follicle growth and how these regulatory mechanisms may be compromised in PCOS. Information gained will assist in the development of novel therapeutics for this complex syndrome.

Faculty Supervisor:

Benjamin Tsang

Student:

Reza Karashk

Partner:

CReATe Program Inc

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: