How stress affects sperm RNA and its impact on reproduction and development
Stress modeling of the human sperm sncRNA transcriptome and causal importance of dynamic miRNA in reproductive and developmental outcomes
This study is looking at how stress that fathers experience before having kids might change the tiny RNA in their sperm, which could affect their children's health, and it's for young, healthy men who want to learn more about how their experiences could impact future generations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10869997 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental stressors, particularly those experienced by fathers before conception, can influence the RNA content in sperm and subsequently affect reproductive outcomes and the health of offspring. By analyzing sperm samples from a diverse group of young, healthy men, the study aims to identify specific small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) that change in response to stress. The researchers will utilize advanced modeling techniques to understand the relationship between these RNA changes and the stress levels reported by participants. This work could provide insights into how paternal experiences shape the health of future generations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young, healthy men who are planning to conceive or are interested in understanding the impact of stress on reproductive health.
Not a fit: Patients who are not planning to conceive or who have existing reproductive health issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving reproductive health and developmental outcomes for children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in animal models regarding the impact of stress on reproductive outcomes, but this research aims to explore these effects in humans, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bale, Tracy L — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Bale, Tracy L
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.