U of S Researcher Dubbed Women's Health Hero by Chatelaine Magazine

Posted July 29, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, July 29, 2004, 9 a.m. 2004-07-14-OTHER

U of S Researcher Dubbed Women's Health Hero by Chatelaine Magazine

University of Saskatchewan reproductive expert Roger Pierson received a
Women's Health Hero Award from Chatelaine magazine today for uncovering
evidence that suggests the traditionally accepted model of the human
menstrual cycle is wrong.

The award, presented for the first time this year, recognizes Pierson and
eight other Canadians for their contributions in advancing women's health.
Recipients were selected based on discussions with leading women's health
experts across Canada and are featured in the August issue of the magazine.

"The Chatelaine Women's Health Heroes Awards were created to applaud the
hard work and dedication of women's health experts in Canada," says
Chatelaine health editor Lisa Murphy. "Thanks to the medical breakthroughs
these scientists have achieved, women can expect improved health and
longevity -- something that Chatelaine is delighted to celebrate."

Pierson, head of the U of S reproductive biology research unit, made
headlines around the world last summer when his research team discovered
that contrary to traditional menstrual models, women experience two to three
"waves" of follicular development each month, though only one egg is
selected for ovulation.

That means up to 40 per cent of women may not be able to use natural family
planning methods because for women who experience two or three waves of
dominant follicle growth per month there is no "safe" time to have
intercourse during the cycle -- there may always be a follicle capable of
ovulating.

Pierson expects the discovery will lead to the design of safer and more
effective contraception, improve success with assisted reproductive
technology for women having trouble conceiving, and perhaps lead to a new
understanding of puberty and menopause.

He says the discovery couldn't have happened without the women who have the
courage to volunteer in studies and the hard work and dedication of his team
members, graduate student Angela Baerwald and U of S veterinarian Gregg
Adams.

"Canadian scientists and clinicians have added a great deal to the world's
knowledge in reproduction and women's health," he says. "I think the
Canadian taxpayers who have supported the work and the women who have
volunteered to participate in studies need to know how important they are to
on-going research that enhances women's health care."

The team's findings were published in the July 2003 issues of the
prestigious scientific journals Fertility and Sterility and Biology of
Reproduction.

Other award recipients' work included mapping a web of previously
unidentified pleasure nerves around the vagina, creating a new class of
drugs for cancer treatment, and developing a test that accurately detects
women's bone fracture susceptibility.

For more than 75 years, Chatelaine (www.chatelaine.com) has been building
communities while providing leading-edge insights into women's foremost
concerns: health, food, women's issues, decor, work, style and beauty.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Kristina Bergen
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1425
bergen@sask.usask.ca

Michelle Villett
Chatelaine Magazine
(416) 764-2828
michelle.villett@chatelaine.rogers.com