Improving Egg Freezing Success Using Natural Cell Messengers
Official title: Investigating the physiological significance of follicular extracellular vesicle miRNAs: From gonadotropin control of biogenesis to application in oocyte vitrification
Funded at Smithsonian Institution · NIH-11193892 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how tiny natural messengers from ovarian cells might help improve the success of frozen eggs for women undergoing fertility treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smithsonian Institution NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, DC, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $275,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110572-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193892 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for women who are considering or undergoing egg freezing and other assisted reproductive technologies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing fertility treatments or egg freezing would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
As more women choose to freeze their eggs, we know that frozen eggs can sometimes lead to lower live birth rates compared to fresh eggs. This project looks at tiny packages called extracellular vesicles (EVs) that cells naturally release, which contain important regulatory molecules. We believe these EVs, particularly those from the fluid around the egg, could help damaged eggs recover after freezing. Using a domestic cat as a model, we aim to understand how these EVs work and if adding them can improve the quality and function of frozen eggs, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve the quality of frozen eggs, potentially increasing live birth rates for women using assisted reproductive technologies.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown that adding extracellular vesicles can improve early embryo development and egg quality in laboratory settings.
Where this research is happening
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Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagashima, Jennifer — Smithsonian Institution
- Study coordinator: Nagashima, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding tiny packets from the ovary to improve egg freezing
Researchers are studying tiny cell-made vesicles in ovarian fluid to see if they can boost the success of using frozen eggs, with a focus on how these vesicles and their miRNA messages could help eggs stay healthy after freezing.
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Understanding how certain molecules in ovarian fluid can improve egg freezing techniques
This study is looking at how tiny particles in the fluid around cat eggs might help improve the freezing process for eggs, which could lead to better results in fertility treatments for people.
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.