Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications

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    Gene expression of the endocannabinoid system in endometrium through menstrual cycle
    Tanaka, K ; Amoako, AA ; Mortlock, S ; Rogers, PAW ; Holdsworth-Carson, SJ ; Donoghue, JF ; Teh, WT ; Montgomery, GW ; McKinnon, B (NATURE PORTFOLIO, 2022-06-07)
    Endocannabinoids mediate cellular functions and their activity is controlled by a complex system of enzymes, membrane receptors and transport molecules. Endocannabinoids are present in endometrium, a cyclical regenerative tissue requiring tightly regulated cellular mechanisms for maturation. The objective of this study was to investigate the gene expression of key elements involved in the endocannabinoid system across the menstrual cycle. RNA was isolated from endometrial tissue and genome-wide gene expression datasets were generated using RNA-sequencing. An a priori set of 70 genes associated with endocannabinoid system were selected from published literature. Gene expression across the menstrual cycle was analyzed using a moderated t test, corrected for multiple testing with Bonferroni's method. A total of 40 of the 70 genes were present in > 90% of the samples, and significant differential gene expression identified for 29 genes. We identified 4 distinct regulation patterns for synthesizing enzymes, as well as a distinct regulation pattern for degradations and transporting enzymes. This study charts the expression of endometrial endocannabinoid system genes across the menstrual cycle. Altered expression of genes that control endocannabinoid may allow fine control over endocannabinoid concentrations and their influence on cellular function, maturation and differentiation as the endometrium matures through the menstrual cycle.
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    Dilated Thin-Walled Blood and Lymphatic Vessels in Human Endometrium: A Potential Role for VEGF-D in Progestin-Induced Break-Through Bleeding (vol 7, e30916, 2012)
    Donoghue, JF ; McGavigan, CJ ; Lederman, FL ; Cann, LM ; Fu, L ; Dimitriadis, E ; Girling, JE ; Rogers, PAW (PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2021-10-26)
    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030916.].
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    Peripheral, Central, and Cross Sensitization in Endometriosis-Associated Pain and Comorbid Pain Syndromes.
    McNamara, HC ; Frawley, HC ; Donoghue, JF ; Readman, E ; Healey, M ; Ellett, L ; Reddington, C ; Hicks, LJ ; Harlow, K ; Rogers, PAW ; Cheng, C (Frontiers Media S.A., 2021)
    Endometriosis-associated pain and the mechanisms responsible for its initiation and persistence are complex and difficult to treat. Endometriosis-associated pain is experienced as dysmenorrhea, cyclical pain related to organ function including dysuria, dyschezia and dyspareunia, and persistent pelvic pain. Pain symptomatology correlates poorly with the extent of macroscopic disease. In addition to the local effects of disease, endometriosis-associated pain develops as a product of peripheral sensitization, central sensitization and cross sensitization. Endometriosis-associated pain is further contributed to by comorbid pain conditions, such as bladder pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, abdomino-pelvic myalgia and vulvodynia. This article will review endometriosis-associated pain, its mechanisms, and its comorbid pain syndromes with a view to aiding the clinician in navigating the literature and terminology of pain and pain syndromes. Limitations of our current understanding of endometriosis-associated pain will be acknowledged. Where possible, commonalities in pain mechanisms between endometriosis-associated pain and comorbid pain syndromes will be highlighted.
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    Reproductive health research in Australia and New Zealand: highlights from the Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology, 2019
    Winship, A ; Donoghue, J ; Houston, BJ ; Martin, JH ; Lord, T ; Adwal, A ; Gonzalez, M ; Desroziers, E ; Ahmad, G ; Richani, D ; Bromfield, EG (CSIRO PUBLISHING, 2020)
    The 2019 meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) provided a platform for the dissemination of new knowledge and innovations to improve reproductive health in humans, enhance animal breeding efficiency and understand the effect of the environment on reproductive processes. The effects of environment and lifestyle on fertility and animal behaviour are emerging as the most important modern issues facing reproductive health. Here, we summarise key highlights from recent work on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and diet- and lifestyle-induced metabolic changes and how these factors affect reproduction. This is particularly important to discuss in the context of potential effects on the reproductive potential that may be imparted to future generations of humans and animals. In addition to key summaries of new work in the male and female reproductive tract and on the health of the placenta, for the first time the SRB meeting included a workshop on endometriosis. This was an important opportunity for researchers, healthcare professionals and patient advocates to unite and provide critical updates on efforts to reduce the effect of this chronic disease and to improve the welfare of the women it affects. These new findings and directions are captured in this review.