How a mother’s egg energy may shape a baby’s cellular aging
Oocyte mitochondrial activity regulates embryo telomere reprogramming
Researchers are looking at whether boosting energy in a mother's egg helps embryos reset the ends of their chromosomes so children start life with longer, healthier telomeres.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182623 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists found that embryos from obese mothers can start life with shorter telomeres, which is linked to poorer health and earlier aging later on. The team will study how mitochondria (the egg's energy factories) help embryos lengthen telomeres during the very earliest stages after fertilization. Work will use detailed cell and molecular experiments and clinically relevant animal models, including nonhuman primates, to test whether improving egg mitochondrial function restores normal telomere resetting. The goal is to define the molecular steps that connect a mother’s metabolic health to how her child’s cells age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women planning pregnancy, especially those with obesity or metabolic conditions, would be the most relevant group for future human studies based on this research.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory and animal-based research, it does not offer direct treatments or benefits to currently pregnant women or children at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If this work pans out, it could point to ways to improve egg health before conception to help protect children's long-term cellular health and aging.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies, including work by these investigators, showed that enhancing egg mitochondrial function can restore embryo telomere lengthening, but applying this to people remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hennebold, Jon D — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Hennebold, Jon D
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 below.