How estrogen affects blood vessel development in fetuses and its impact on insulin sensitivity in offspring
Official title: Estrogen Regulation of Fetal Microvessel Development During Primate Pregnancy: Impact on Insulin Sensitivity in Offspring
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10770987 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how estrogen helps build tiny blood vessels in unborn babies, using baboons to learn more about how this process might affect insulin and sugar levels, which can be important for preventing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 22, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $676,465 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK120513-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10770987 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be pregnant individuals, particularly those at risk for conditions affecting estrogen levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those whose conditions do not involve estrogen regulation or insulin sensitivity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of estrogen in the development of microvessels in the fetus during pregnancy, specifically in non-human primates. It aims to understand how estrogen influences the formation of blood vessels that are crucial for insulin delivery and glucose regulation in the offspring. By studying baboons, the researchers will explore the mechanisms behind insulin resistance and glucose intolerance that may lead to type 2 diabetes in later life. The study will involve examining the morphological and functional development of microvessels in the skeletal muscle of the fetus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in children born to mothers with altered estrogen levels during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of vascular development in metabolic health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Albrecht, Eugene D. — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Albrecht, Eugene D.
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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.