How aging changes the sugar tags on the fertility hormone FSH and its effects
Official title: Project 4: Age-Related Changes in Gonadotropin Glycosylation and Function
Funded at Wichita State University · NIH-11123152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether age-related changes in the sugar coating of the fertility hormone FSH change how women's ovaries respond and might contribute to fertility decline and bone loss.
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) | $291,460 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG029531-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be women in midlife who are experiencing age-related fertility decline, perimenopausal changes, or concerns about bone loss linked to hormonal changes.
✕Less likely to help
People without ovarian function (for example after surgical removal), men, or patients whose fertility issues have causes unrelated to FSH glycosylation are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view: researchers will develop lab tests that can tell apart different sugar‑tagged forms of FSH and use those tests on human and animal samples. They will compare how each FSH form binds the FSH receptor and triggers signals and gene changes in ovarian granulosa cells. The team will also use animal models that previously showed fertility rescue with certain FSH forms to link molecular differences to ovarian response and bone outcomes. Together these steps aim to explain why ovaries become less responsive to FSH with age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to tests or treatments that identify and address age-related ovarian resistance to FSH, helping preserve fertility and reduce bone loss in women.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory and animal studies showed that hypo-glycosylated FSH forms bind receptors better and can restore fertility in Fshb-null mice, but applying these findings to human health remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
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Wichita State University
Wichita, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bousfield, George R — Wichita State University
- Study coordinator: Bousfield, George R
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.