Nau mai, haere mai,
The Menstrual Health Research Network aims to improve the mental, physical, and spiritual hauora of wāhine, menstruators and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the Pacific by promoting and facilitating high-quality research related to the menstrual cycle that is interdisciplinary, collaborative, and encompasses multiple knowledges.
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Network Spotlight
Congratulations to Ania Wright! Ania recently handed in her Masters titled:
Effects of Female Ageing on Oocytes
Supervisors: Dr Michael Pankhurst and Dr Karen Reader
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, University of Otago
Ania’s Masters explored how maternal age affects reproductive success mediated through errors in oocyte development. Aging is associated with increased levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and decreased oocyte quality. The similarities between superovulated and aged oocytes were investigated using fluorescent dyes. The binding of ‘TMRM’ and ‘MG’ to oocyte mitochondria was used to assess diminished mitochondrial activity. Contrary to expectations, oocytes from aged mice showed higher mitochondrial activity than those from young mice. This suggests that elevated FSH affects mitochondrial activity differently in aged oocytes, reflecting possible compensatory mechanisms for cellular damage.
Congratulations to Emily Paterson! Emily recently handed in her PhD thesis titled:
Endometriosis biomarkers: extracellular vesicles and cervicovaginal fluid.
Supervisors: Dr Claire Henry and A/Prof Jane Girling
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Te Whanganui-a-tara, University of Otago, Wellington
Emily's PhD investigated non-invasive biomarkers of endometriosis, a gynaecological condition that often requires surgery for a definitive diagnosis. Her research had an emphasis on cervicovaginal fluid sampled with vaginal swabs, and on small particles involved in intercellular communication, called extracellular vesicles. Spanning a diverse range of approaches, her work included a clinical audit of endometriosis surgeries at Wellington Hospital, as well as proteomics, bioinformatics, and small-particle spectral flow cytometry. Through this, her thesis provided new insights into endometriosis biology and explored novel avenues for developing less invasive diagnostic tools.