Biology of the Ovary


Monitoring and improving the efficacy and safety of therapies designed to regulate female fertility, such as contraception and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have become important public health activities.

Cytokines and chemokines, like MCP1 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1), are commonly elevated in disorders with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, including PCOS and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. These disorders are frequently associated with reproductive abnormalities including menstrual disorders and infertility.

 

Main Projects

  • To determine whether the inhibition or stimulation of CCR2 (C-C motif chemokine receptor 2) signalling influences primordial follicle activation.
  • To study the involvement of CCR2 signalling in oocyte maturation and C-OE (Cumulus-Oocyte Expansion).
  • To assess possible crosstalk/interaction between EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and CCR2 signalling within the Cumulus-Oocyte Complex (COC).
  • To assess the effects of CCR2 signalling inhibition or stimulation on luteolysis.

 

Staff members

Marina PELUFFO

Eduardo DASCAL

 

National Collaborators

Gabriela Jaita: Institute of Biomedical Research (INBIOMED/UBA-CONICET)

Juan Pablo Jaworski: National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA-CONICET)

 

International Collaborators

Alison Ting: 21st Century Medicine, Inc, California, USA.

Jon D. Hennebold: Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, ONPRC-OHSU (Oregon National Primate Research Center-Oregon Health & Science University), Oregon, USA.

Alejandro Lomniczi: ONPRC-OHSU (Oregon National Primate Research Center-Oregon Health & Science University), Oregon, EE.UU.

Rafael A. Fissore: Departamento de Ciencias Veterinarias y Animal, Universidad de Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, EE. UU.

David Pepin: Massachusetts General Research Institute- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, EE.UU.