Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-51).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-133).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisor: Robert A. Hummer. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brown University, 2005. / Vita. Thesis advisor: Andrew Foster. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-127). Also available online.

Human granulosa cells play an important role in the follicle, providing the oocyte with nutrients and growth factors to ensure successful ovulation. Normal granulosa cell functioning is thus crucial to human fertility. By studying their transcriptome, the mechanisms underpinning follicle development and infertility will be better understood. In this study, granulosa cells were retrieved at the time of oocyte removal for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cells were purified through a combination of a Percoll gradient to remove red blood cells and positive selection of granulosa cell aggregations. On average, contamination by white blood cells was 2% as measured by FACS analysis using specific white blood cell markers. Histological and electron microscopy of granulosa cell aggregations did not detect evidence of resident ovarian white blood cells. This technique provided a good source of pure, healthy granulosa cells for RNA extraction and subsequent gene expression studies. The construction of a human granulosa cell SAGE library derived 1689 SAGEtags and 1289 discrete mRNA transcripts. SAGEtags for a number of well recognized granulosa cell genes (FSH receptor, follistatin, connexin 43) were found in addition to hormone receptors, multiple kinases, structural genes, apoptosis related genes and secreted proteins. A variety of other SAGE libraries were downloaded from SAGEmap (two ovary epithelium, ovary, white blood cell, brain, cerebellum, heart, liver, lung, kidney, pancreas and universal human reference) and compared to the human granulosa cell library. This was based on two measures: a gene specificity score (GSS) and a tissue specificity score (TSS). Three SAGEtags were identified with high levels of expression in granulosa cells, but no or low expression in the other libraries. These were retinol binding protein 1 (RBP 1), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB 1) and hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 1 (11-β-HSD). Library comparisons were validated by real time RT-PCR. The TSS score revealed granulosa cells were most similar to the universal reference library and least similar to liver. Granulosa cell samples were collected from woman undergoing IVF for a range of infertility disorders. These included polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), tubal disease, endometriosis and idiopathic (unknown). Gene expression was compared between these groups using real time RT-PCR. Candidate genes included RBP 1, 11-β-HSD, SCARB 1, FSH receptor, follistatin, decidual protein induced by progesterone, and progesterone membrane receptor component 1 and 2. Granulosa cell gene expression was significantly different (p<0.05) from human white blood cells. No differences were found in gene expression levels between the infertility disorders. Analysis of each patient, however, revealed individuals with marked over-expression of selected genes. The technique of Generation of Longer cDNA fragments for Gene Identification (GLGI) was used to investigate seven SAGEtags that did match known genes or ESTs. Although no novel genes were characterized, a further 14 granulosa cell transcripts were identified by this technique. This thesis used an integrated approach to the study of human granulosa cell gene expression. This has involved development of a purification method, the use of a high-throughput technique (SAGE), bioinformatics tools to identify candidates genes, real time RT-PCR to investigate gene expression of particular genes in infertility disorders and finally a technique with the potential to characterize unknown SAGEtags (GLGI). This systematic approach has advanced the understanding of gene expression in human granulosa cells and identified avenues for future research into folliculogenesis and human infertility.

In the past the identification and explanation of spatial variations in fertility was seen as an important contribution to the field of population geography. By the 1980s with the substantial declines in fertility and the ' end ' of the demographic transition came the belief low fertility equated with little variation between groups and across space. Recent evidence however suggests the interaction of various factors including place - specific factors has led to spatio - temporal changes in fertility that have not been expected based on theoretical and national patterns of fertility. The objective of this thesis was to investigate if spatial differentials in fertility still exist, and have relevance in a low fertility setting. The study examines the geography of fertility in the State of South Australia from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s using unpublished issue data from the 1976, 1981, 1986 and 1996 Australian Censuses for women aged 45 - 49 years and 15 - 44 years. In addition to identifying the patterns trends towards convergence or divergence in the patterns over time and the reasons for the patterns were also identified. The findings of this study indicate strong spatial variations in fertility still exist, have persisted over time and there are localised conditions which temper overall expectations from theory. While it is assumed declines in fertility equate with a convergence in differentials, the statistical parameters used in this study showed trends towards convergence or divergence varied by geographical scale and age group. Despite the limited attention socio - economic factors have received in the examination of population issues in Australia, they remain central to explaining the fertility patterns and trends found in this study. In fact in metropolitan Adelaide fertility may be a significant contributor and influence on social polarisation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Social Sciences, 2005.

Thesis (doctoral)--Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza." / Title from title screen (viewed Mar. 14, 2003). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-169).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Economics, June 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.