How older fathers' mutations affect sperm production and offspring health
Official title: Paternal age effect mutations as selfish drivers of germline stem cell clonality
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10903616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny cells that help make sperm change over a man's life, especially as he gets older, and it uses zebrafish to see how certain changes in these cells might affect the health of future children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,983 |
| NIH project number | 1F30HD115391-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older male patients or those concerned about the effects of paternal age on fertility and offspring health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not male or those who are not of reproductive age may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) contribute to sperm production over a male's lifetime, particularly focusing on the impact of mutations that may arise as fathers age. By using zebrafish as a model, the study will trace the lineage of individual SSCs and assess how certain mutations can give these cells a competitive edge, potentially affecting the health of their offspring. The research aims to understand the dynamics of SSC competition and the implications of these mutations for reproductive aging and future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved reproductive health interventions for older fathers, enhancing offspring health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of paternal age on reproductive health, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weber, Jenna Micole — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Weber, Jenna Micole
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.