Department of O&G -Research Activities

Reproduction
Interaction between Oviductal cells and Sperms/Embryos
Inhibitory effect of Follicular Fluid on Sperm-Zona Pellucida Binding
Assisted Reproduction
Fertility Regulation

The Reproductive Medicine Division is recognized by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for subspecialty training in Reproductive Medicine. It provides a tertiary referral service in reproductive medicine in Hong Kong. The Division is actively collaborating with the World Health Organization and the Contraceptive Development Network in its research in fertility regulation. The Contraceptive Development Network is an international research network on new contraceptive methods involving 5 centres (University of Edinburgh, University of Hong Kong, University of Capetown, Shanghai Institute of Family Planning and Technical Instruction, and Ogun State University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria). There is also active collaboration with a number of centres in Mainland China and other countries on various aspects of reproductive medicine. There are 5 PhDs within the division to provide support for basic scientific research.

A. Mifepristone and misoprostol in termination of pregnancy
B. Use of mifepristone in contraception
C. Acceptability of contraceptive methods
D. Emergency contraception

2. Gender based violence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

3. Ovarian stimulation in the management of subfertility

A. Endometrial receptivity
B. Prediction of ovarian response (Fig. 1)
C. Psycho-social aspects of assisted reproduction

Fig. 1 Stromal blood flow of the ovary determined by three dimensional Power Doppler ultrasound

4. Menopausal studies

5. Studies on co-cultures (Fig. 2)

A. Purification and characterization of embryotrophic factor(s) from reproductive tract;
B. Production of monoclonal antibodies against embryotrophic factor(s);
C. Role(s) of human endometrial cells in embryonic development in vitro;
D. Effect(s) of reproductive tract cells on human sperm functions; and
E. Role(s) of growth factor(s) in embryonic development.

Fig. 2. A representative diagram of mouse embryos at expanded blastocyst stage (120h post-hCG) after cultured in medium alone (A) and ETF-3 derived from OE-E6/E7 (B). Note that the blastocyst in (B) was undergoing hatching.

6. Follicular fluid and spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding capacity (Fig. 3)

A. Purification and characterization of glycodelin-F receptor from spermatozoa;
B. Production of monoclonal antibodies against different isoforms of glycodelins;
C. Characterization of cumulus cell-derived glycodelin;
D. Mechanism of action of glycodelin-F (GdF or ZIF-1) on acrosome reaction;
E. Role(s) of carbohydrate moieties on the biological activities of glycodelin.

Fig. 3. Immunofluorescence staining of human spermatozoa. (A) Spermatozoa incubated with 1ug/ml ZIF-1 at 37 C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air for 3 hr. (B) Spermatozoa incubated with 1ug/ml glycodelin-A at 37 C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air for 3 hr.

7. Study on the genetic causes of male infertility (Fig. 4)

A) AZFb deletions were observed in two infertile patients as depicted by arrowheads o the top.
B) The infertile man (no.1) transmitted the AZFc deletion to his ICSI-derived son (no.2)