AMH hormone to change ovarian function and fertility
Official title: Evaluation of the effect of exogenous AMH on ovarian function and fertility
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11330593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will give extra anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to non-human primates to learn whether it can safely change ovarian activity and fertility for possible use in women's reproductive care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $740,967 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD115719-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Future human trials would likely enroll reproductive-age women seeking contraception, women facing fertility-damaging chemotherapy who want ovarian protection, or people undergoing assisted reproduction who need follicle synchronization.
✕Less likely to help
People who are postmenopausal, cannot become pregnant for non-ovarian reasons, or who do not want changes to ovarian function are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses non-human primates to examine how added AMH affects ovarian follicles at different stages, including whether high levels can cause temporary contraception. The team plans to deliver AMH (including AAV-based delivery approaches noted in the grant) and monitor follicle activation, antral development, and reproductive cycling. They will also test whether AMH can protect the ovary from accelerated aging such as that seen after chemotherapy while tracking safety signals. Findings are intended to translate rodent results into primate biology to inform potential human treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable new contraception options, protect ovarian function during chemotherapy, and improve timing/control for fertility treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies in mice, rats, and cats have shown AMH can suppress follicle activation and produce contraception, but comparable primate or human data are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pepin, David — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pepin, David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.