How aging changes in FSH and its receptor affect ovarian follicle cells
Official title: Project 3: Understanding the Role of FSHR Oligomerization and Trafficking in Transducing Age-dependent Changes in FSH Glycoforms
Funded at Wichita State University · NIH-11123149 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how different forms of the fertility hormone FSH and age-related changes in its receptor affect the ovarian cells that support egg development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wichita State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wichita, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2009 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $216,806 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG029531-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123149 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women of reproductive age, especially those experiencing age-related declines in ovarian response or undergoing IVF/other fertility treatments who can provide follicular cells or fluid, would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People not seeking fertility care or men are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
What this research studies
This project studies different chemical forms of the hormone FSH and how those forms change with age. Scientists will examine how the FSH receptor (FSHR) groups together and moves inside primary granulosa cells from ovarian follicles, and how those behaviors change during follicle development and aging. Lab experiments will measure signaling responses such as cAMP activity and receptor internalization to link receptor behavior to hormone form. The work uses cellular and molecular techniques with cells representative of different follicle stages and ages to build a picture of how hormone–receptor interactions change over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide better fertility treatments by clarifying how age-related hormone changes affect ovarian response and suggesting ways to tailor therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown that different FSH glycoforms alter receptor binding and signaling, but applying those findings to improve clinical care remains at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Wichita State University
Wichita, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jonas, Kim Carol — Wichita State University
- Study coordinator: Jonas, Kim Carol
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.