Recipients

This research will explore the possible reasons for, and treatment of, male and female infertility. The research will focus specifically on whether or not a chemical substance within semen is responsible, in whole or in part, for inducing ovulation in females. Ovulation in females is regulated by a neuroendocrine mechanism that involves signaling pathways between reproductive organisms and the brain. Recent research has shown the presence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in the seminal plasma of alpacas, llamas and bulls. The existence of such a factor challenges the long-established concept of a distinction between species as either induced or spontaneous ovulators. Whether this OIF is present in humans, remains unknown. Further study of it may have implications in the diagnosis and treatment of male and female infertility.

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