EON

New Gene Sequence Isolated That Regulates Ovulation

Toronto -  A research team made up of Canadian and European Scientists has announced that is has successfully isolated a gene that appears to regulate ovulation.

The new gene, known as Lrh1 seems to directly effect and control ovulation and the ovaries.

Up to now the role of this gene has been unclear, but the team discovered that it apparently controls ovulation and the ovaries, according to the director of the animal research center at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Universite de Montreal, Dr. Bruce D. Murphy.

The research team that is headed by Dr. Murphy has been working hard to study the gene and its effects on ovaries, and fertility in general.

“This discovery is such that we can imagine finding new contraceptives that deal with this gene alone, and being able to stop ovulation in a selective manner,” said Dr. Murphy.

“This [gene] has a real shotgun effect,” said Murphy.  “Many more aspects and pathways are regulated by this gene than we ever thought.”

By being able to target the Lrh1 gene directly it may be possible to have a new contraceptive that has less side effects and that would perform more effectively.

The scientists blocked the gene from mice that had been genetically modified, and when the gene was deleted, it disrupted different hormones, prevented mice eggs from maturing, and very effectively stopped ovulation.

Roger Pierson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Saskatchewan, calling the findings”absolutely significant.”
“This is a very old, well-conserved [gene] for ovarian function in mammalian biology,” Dr. Pierson said.

“Without this gene, the eggs would never get outside the ovary … it’s a very good target for understanding infertility and for safer, effective contraception.”

The study was done in partnership with scientists from Institut de genetique et biologie moleculaire et cellulaire of the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France.