How egg cells' internal structures change during fertilization and with maternal age
Fertilization-induced maturation of cortical ER clusters in oocytes; impact of maternal age
Researchers are looking at how tiny structures inside egg cells respond when sperm enters and how those changes differ in eggs from younger versus older mothers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326264 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are considering fertility care, this project looks at the small internal compartments (ER clusters) and the surrounding actin layer in egg cells to see how they reorganize when sperm meets egg. Scientists will use high-resolution imaging and molecular experiments to watch these changes in real time, test the role of sperm-delivered proteins like PLCζ, and manipulate actin regulators (RhoA and cdc42) to see how binding sites form. They will compare eggs from younger and older females to understand age-related differences in ER structure and responsiveness. Much of the work uses animal models and laboratory egg samples, with the goal of relating those findings to human IVF and egg quality.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People undergoing IVF or egg donation—especially younger and older women willing to donate unused eggs or allow samples to be used for research—would be ideal candidates to contribute to this work.
Not a fit: Those whose infertility is driven primarily by male-factor issues or by problems unrelated to egg cell structure may not directly benefit from these findings in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify why eggs from older women are less likely to fertilize or develop normally and point toward new approaches to improve IVF success or egg health.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links ER organization to egg quality, but the focus on actin fenestrae, ER cluster maturation at fertilization, and the roles of sperm PLCζ and RhoA/cdc42 is largely new and not yet established in humans.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christenson, Lane K. — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Christenson, Lane K.
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.