Monash IVF ReseaRch and educatIon FoundatIon 2014 annual RepoRt

40 Pages·2015·0.35 MB·English

Monash IVF ReseaRch
and educatIon FoundatIon
2014
20 14

annual RepoRt
201 4
2014
Monash IVF ReseaRch and educatIon FoundatIon
contents
Excellence in Research and Education
2 Monash IVF Research and education Foundation
2 Research and education strategy
3 comment from the ceo
4 Medical director’s report
5 a word from the chairman
6 advisory Board
Education
10 a word from the director of education
Research
10 a word from the director of clinical Research
11 2014 Research highlights
12 completed projects
14 ongoing Research Interests
24 Contributions to Scientific Literature

27 MREF External Research Grants
28 Supporting the Monash IVF Research and Education
Foundation

29 Contact Us
MReF annual Report 2014 | 1
excellence In ReseaRch
and educatIon
Monash IVF has lonG RecoGnIsed the close
lInkaGe BetWeen ReseaRch and Best clInIcal
pRactIce and contInues to Be actIVely enGaGed In
ReseaRch and postGRaduate MedIcal educatIon
In RepRoductIVe MedIcIne.
Monash IVF Research and Joint educational activities with the
Education Foundation (MREF) university’s education program in
Reproductive Biology (epRd) include
since 2009, the Monash IVF Research participation in epRd’s renowned
and education Foundation (MReF) has reproductive science courses, along with
been operating under the oversight of an specialised courses for postgraduate
advisory Board and with the assistance medical education for local and overseas
of a committed team of researchers clinicians. Recognising the key roles
and educators. the historical and vital of embryology, nursing and allied staff
relationship with Monash university is to the success of our aRt program,
maintained through the inclusion of a innovative educational programs have
senior university member on the MReF also been developed for these groups.
advisory Board and by the conduct
of joint postgraduate educational With the formation of the Monash IVF
programs. Group in June 2014, the research
skills and resources of the Repromed
the MReF advises the Medical program and its affiliates at the
advisory committee, and thence the university of adelaide, has broadened
Monash IVF Group Board, on ways the opportunities for research. an
in which Monash IVF can conduct executive of MReF and the Repromed
internationally-recognised research, research teams has been formed to set
provide educational programs for health Group-wide research and development
professionals and raise community objectives, to ensure increasing
awareness and knowledge in collaboration and the optimal use of
reproductive medicine. resources, particularly in clinical trials
aiming to improve success rates.
the focus of our studies in aRt is
the effectiveness and safety of our this report includes the research and
treatments for couples and their educational outputs from MReF advisory
offspring. Major recipients of the Board members and other Monash
research funding include investigators at IVF staff in regard to their work both at
the Monash university departments of Monash IVF and within their professional
obstetrics and Gynaecology, the school spheres, in the field of reproductive
of Biological sciences, and the MIMR- medicine and fertility control over the
phI Institute and the Murdoch Institute. 2014 calendar year.

2 | MReF annual Report 2014
coMMent FRoM the GRoup ceo

(on behalf of the Board)
James Thiedeman | Group chief executive officer, Monash IVF
the eaRly WoRk oF ouR pIoneeRs that Resulted
In the WoRld’s FIRst IVF pReGnancy In 1973 has
Been an onGoInG dRIVeR FoR ouR coMMItMent to
contInued scIentIFIc and clInIcal InnoVatIon. as
testaMent to thIs coMMItMent stands ouR lonG
hIstoRy oF InVestInG In clInIcal ReseaRch and
eVIdence-Based caRe.
since inception, the Monash IVF asia pacific Initiative on Reproduction
Research and education Foundation (aspIRe) held in conjunction with
(MReF) has overseen intramural and the Fertility society of australia (Fsa)
collaborative research programs in the annual scientific conference.
fields of male and female reproductive
biology and clinical care, genetics and In addition to conducting original
molecular science and psychosocial research, Monash IVF Group is
research. this work endeavours to committed to training the next
advance patient-focused assisted generation of professionals in the field
reproductive technologies. of assisted reproduction. through
MReF, we continue to dedicate
our latest report highlights the resources to the Royal australian and
achievements of our clinical, scientific new Zealand college of obstetricians
and research team, including attaining and Gynaecologists’ (RanZcoG)
several awards at the 5th congress of the subspecialty training programs and
work hand-in-hand with Monash
university’s education program in
Reproduction and development (epRd)
and the university of adelaide. We
are most grateful to our clinicians and
scientists for the time and expertise
they impart on these educational
activities.
Monash IVF Group understands our
commitment to ongoing scientific and
clinical innovation, combined with the
development of future leaders in the
field, will ultimately benefit women
and couples pursuing their dream
of creating a family of their own. on
behalf of the Monash IVF Group Board,
I commend the work of the MReF and
express my thanks to all our staff and
collaborators involved in this important
work.
MReF annual Report 2014 | 3
MedIcal dIRectoR’s RepoRt
Associate Professor Peter Lutjen | national Medical director, Monash IVF
Monash IVF contInues Its lonG-teRM coMMItMent to
excellence In scIentIFIc ReseaRch and clInIcal tRaInInG
In the aRea oF aRtIFIcIal RepRoductIVe technoloGIes (aRt).
It Is thIs coMMItMent that ultIMately tRanslates Into the
Best possIBle clInIcal seRVIces FoR ouR patIents.
With ongoing investment in translational Research and education Foundation
research programs, Monash IVF (MReF). the Foundation advises
continues to gain valuable insight into the Monash IVF Board through the
areas of basic reproductive biology that Medical advisor committee (Mac) on
can be extended into our daily clinical the areas of research which have the
practice. It is this form of innovation that potential to improve the organisation’s
is reflected in our clinical services and clinical care and allocates research
translates into improved outcomes for funds accordingly. areas of research
our patients. activity include examining aspects of
endometrial receptivity, the genetic
these activities necessitate not just the causes of infertility, optimizing selection
work of our own research and clinical of sperm, eggs and embryos, and the
staff but also the existence of active outcomes for children born to IVF.
collaborations with other research
experts in these areas. the governance the MReF helps maintain the strong
for these activities falls to the Monash historic affiliation between Monash
IVF, Monash university and MIMR-
phI Institute. In addition to the
collaborative research between these
three organisations, the MReF helps
coordinate educational programs to
help train the future leaders in aRt for
work in the area both here in australia
and overseas, thereby making a
valuable contribution to improving
clinical service delivery.

4 | MReF annual Report 2014
a WoRd FRoM the chaIRMan
oF the MReF
Professor Robert McLachlan | chairman, Monash Research & education Foundation
the excellence oF the clInIcal seRVIces at
Monash IVF has Its FoundatIon In the contInuous
ReseaRch eFFoRts oF ouR scIentIFIc and clInIcal
staFF oVeR the past 40 yeaRs.
the Monash IVF Group has an ongoing our work is only possible with the help
commitment to original research and of our dedicated research team: caroline
educational programs and to maintaining Motteram, scientific projects officer;
its leadership position in aRt. I have deborah de Guingand, Research officer,
been honoured to serve as the inaugural and Vivien Maclachlan, data and
chairman and to have received the Research Manager. they have tirelessly
strong and continuing support of the and diligently overseen the clinical studies,
Monash IVF Board and ceo. We are also working with our study participants, and
excited to have had dr Michelle lane and dealing with complex interactions with the
the Repromed program and its network medical nursing and scientific staff.
of co-investigators at the university
of adelaide strengthen the research In 2014 our education program saw the
capabilities of the Monash IVF Group. continuation of the alliance between the
We continue to be supported by both Monash university epRd and MReF with
the Monash IVF Group and by generous many shared programs and the hosting of
untied research grants from industry. several overseas clinicians and scientists
for short course updates in aRt. We are
the MReF advisory Board comprises most grateful to dr sally catt and the
clinical, embryological and medical epRd staff for the excellent work and
imaging expertise and has worked with enthusiasm and look forward to our
enthusiasm and creativity to develop future collaborations. I would also like
programs that address our strategic to express my appreciation to the
goals. the outcomes of papers and Monash IVF clinical and scientific
presentations for 2014 and our future staff for their excellent contributions
research directions are outlined in this to the educational programs offered
report. to undergraduate, postgraduate
and overseas trainees.
I am most grateful to associate
professor luk Rombauts, director of Finally I would also like to thank all
clinical Research, for his dedication and the Monash IVF Group clinical and
expertise in the conduct of our many scientific staff for their contributions
clinical studies, and to dr tiki osianlis, to the educational programs we
scientific director and her team, for their provide to undergraduate,
enthusiastic engagement in ‘in house’ postgraduate and overseas
and collaborative research programs trainees.
aimed at understanding embryo health
and implantation.
MReF annual Report 2014 | 5
done 2014 updated
Monash IVF ReseaRch and educatIon
FoundatIon adVIsoRy BoaRd
basic and clinical research
into male fertility regulation
and the role of androgens.
he has published over 200
papers, reviews and chapters.
since 2000, he has made 53
international & 40 national
presentations (including keynotes
& plenaries). he is section
editor “Male endocrinology”
for www.endotext.org; and
Professor Robert McLachlan
is on several editorial boards, Associate Professor
M BBs (hons), phd, FRacp and is a consultant on male Luk Rombauts phd, Md,
chairman MReF, director of clinical fertility regulation to the World FRanZcoG, cReI

Research, MIMR-phI Institute; adjunct health organisation. In 2013 he
professor, Monash department of Research director, Monash IVF; clinical
was awarded the hoffenberg
obstetrics and Gynaecology; director, adjunct associate professor, department
andrology australia; Monash IVF International Medal, society of obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash
consultant andrologist for endocrinology, uk, for university; head of Reproductive
outstanding contributions to the Medicine, Monash health; IVF specialist,
Graduating from Monash field. M onash IVF
university in 1977 and trained in obstetrics and
completing advanced training in professor Rob Mclachlan has gynaecology at the university
endocrinology in 1984, professor been the consultant andrologist of leuven, Belgium, in 1994,
Rob Mclachlan undertook his to the Monash IVF program since assoc prof Rombauts began
phd studies in reproductive 1991. he is an adjunct professor his clinical and research work at
physiology at prince henry’s in the department of obstetrics Monash in 1994. after spending
Institute and the department of and Gynaecology at Monash a further 2 years in the IVF unit
anatomy, Monash university. he university and deputy director of at the leuven Institute of Fertility
worked as a visiting scientist at endocrinology, Monash Medical and embryology (Belgium),
the university of Washington, centre. he is a past president of assoc prof. Rombauts returned
in seattle, usa, working on the Fertility society of australia to Melbourne in 1998 to obtain
the hormonal regulation of and is currently a consultant to his certificate of Reproductive
reproductive function. after the World health organisation endocrinology and Infertility
returning to australia in 1990, he on male fertility regulation and is (cReI). he is now accredited by
has since attracted continuous director of andrology australia, the Royal australian and new
funding as a Research Fellow of a Federal government initiative, Zealand college of obstetricians
the nh&MRc. based at Monash university, and Gynaecologists as a training
which is committed to research supervisor and examiner for the
he is an adjunct professor in and community and professional cReI.
the department of obstetrics education in male reproductive
and Gynaecology at Monash health. assoc prof. Rombauts has
university. as director of clinical a strong track record in
Research at the MIMR-phI women’s health, clinical and
Institute at Monash Medical translational research in the
centre, he conducts nhMRc field of reproductive medicine.
supported research involving he currently conducts nhMRc
funded research into several
aspects of female infertility,
with a strong focus on the
6 | MReF annual Report 2014
communication between the his clinical interests are advanced are in gamete and embryo
embryo and the endometrium. laparoscopic surgery for cryopreservation, sperm-oocyte
assoc professor luk Rombauts endometriosis, male and female interaction during fertilisation,
has published a total of 115 reproductive microsurgery, and optimal embryo selection,
articles, reviews and book the management of male and blastocyst-endometrial
chapters since 1990. he has a female infertility. interaction and the relationship
current h-index of 21 (Web of of stimulation regimen and
knowledge 2014) and 1348 total embryo quality.
citations. he has been invited
to present lectures at numerous
international meetings. he has
helped develop clinical guidelines
for the management of pcos,
endometriosis and ohss. he
is also an expert advisor for
the endometriosis phenome
and Biobanking harmonisation
project sponsored by the
World endometriosis Research
Foundation. Dr Tiki Osianlis Associate Professor
Bsc (hons), phd Beverley Vollenhoven
he is an adjunct clinical
MBBs (hons), phd,
associate professor in the
scientific director, Monash IVF, scientific
department of obstetrics advisor MReF FRanZcoG, cReI
and Gynaecology at Monash
university and the head of dr osianlis completed her Monash director teaching and learning,
MReF. associate professor, department
Reproductive Medicine at Bachelor of science (hons) at
of obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash
sothern health. he is the clinical Monash university and went university; head of Gynaecology at
Research director of Monash on to complete her phd with Monash health; IVF specialist, Monash
IVF and a Research Fellow of IVF pioneer professor alan I VF
the MIMR-phI Institute. assoc trounson. her studies focused associate professor Vollenhoven
prof Rombauts was elected a on examining the physiological graduated from Monash
Board Member of the World mechanisms of a select group of university in 1984 and completed
endometriosis society in antigens during fertilisation and her training in obstetrics and
2008 and is the editor of the preimplantation development. Gynaecology in 1995. she has
World endometriosis society’s she has been with Monash IVF been a clinician at Monash
electronic journal. In 2011 he since 1997 and is the current IVF since 1996 and has a
was appointed to the World scientific director. dr osianlis is sub-specialty qualification in
endometriosis Research responsible for the embryology Reproductive endocrinology and
Foundation Board of trustees and Genetics laboratories within Infertility (cReI).
and to the Board of the Fertility Monash IVF and oversees
society of australia. he is also a operational performance, auditing her areas of clinical interest
member of the RanZcoG Grants and training compliance, quality include infertility, polycystic
and scholarship committee. he management and implementation ovarian syndrome, eating
is an associate editor of human of new technologies. she is disorders, paediatric and
Reproduction and has been the dedicated to achieving optimal adolescent gynaecology and
scientific chair of 2 international results and increasing success menopause. she also has a
conferences. rates. her main research interests clinical and research interest in
MReF annual Report 2014 | 7
the cause and treatment of Journal of perinatal Medicine.
uterine fibroids (leiomyomas); a/prof costa’s clinical and
the management of infertility, research interests focus on the
particularly IVF, ovulation and use of ultrasound in maternal-
ovulation disorders (such as fetal medicine, especially pre-
pcos), turner’s syndrome and eclampsia, fetal growth restriction
menopause. she has more than and preterm labour. In addition,
100 publications in both journals he has special interest in first
and books. trimester screening, including
non-invasive prenatal testing
associate professor Vollenhoven (nIpt), and ultrasound diagnosis
is the head of Gynaecology Dr Fabricio Costa of deep endometriosis.
at Monash health and also of Md, phd, FRanZcoG, ddu,
the contraceptive counselling coGu
clinic and a Reproductive
endocrinologist at the obstetrician sonologist, Monash
Menopause clinic, Monash u ltrasound for Women
Medical centre. associate professor costa
graduated in Medicine in 1995.
she is a past chairperson of the
he was awarded a phd in 2001
Victorian Regional committee
from the university of sao paulo,
of the Royal australian and new
Brazil for doppler studies in the
Zealand college of obstetricians
prediction of pre-eclampsia. In
and Gynaecologists, and is a
2005, a/prof costa became an
member of the examinations
associate professor in obstetrics
committee and is currently an
and Gynaecology and in 2014,
examiner for both the specialist
he became clinical associate Dr Gareth Weston MBBs
and sub specialist exams.
professor in the department of
(hons), Mph, phd, FRanZcoG,
she was a member of the 8th
obstetrics and Gynecology at the
council of RanZcoG. she cReI
university of Melbourne. In 2009,
is a member of the advisory
a/prof costa moved to australia, senior lecturer in the department of
committee on prescription
currently working at the Royal obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash
Medicines as well as the Women’s hospital (university university; IVF specialist and clinical
device committee, both director sunshine and Gippsland, Monash
of Melbourne department of
subcommittees of the tGa. IVF
obstetrics and Gynaecology) and

associate professor Vollenhoven
Monash ultrasound for Women in dr Gareth Weston graduated from
was appointed director of
Melbourne. Melbourne university in 1996. he
teaching and learning, MReF in
completed a phd in reproductive
June 2012. a/prof costa has strong
medicine and molecular biology in
academic credentials having
2003, spending time at cambridge
published widely, including
university uk. he completed a
several chapters in various texts,
Masters in public health in 2002.
and performs peer reviews
he also completed a sub-specialty
for many international journals
qualification in Reproductive
including Fetal diagnosis and
endocrinology and Infertility
therapy, clinical anatomy and
(cReI) in 2007. he holds public
appointments at Monash Medical
centre and Bairnsdale Regional
hospital.
8 | MReF annual Report 2014