IVF's effects on embryo metabolism
Altered metabolism in embryo generated by in vitro fertilization
This research looks at whether common IVF procedures change how embryos use energy and whether those changes might affect the long-term health of children born from IVF.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311907 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers will compare embryos and tissues created with IVF to those conceived naturally to see if embryo handling changes cellular metabolism. They will measure metabolic markers, mitochondrial function, and gene activity in embryos and in tissues later in life. The team will use laboratory models and biological samples to trace whether early metabolic changes persist and link to altered growth or glucose control as offspring age. Findings will be used to pinpoint steps in the IVF process that might be changed to improve long-term health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people who had children conceived by IVF, parents planning IVF who can provide information or samples, or individuals willing to donate related biological samples or clinical data.
Not a fit: People without any connection to IVF or concerns about metabolism are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify ways to make IVF procedures safer and reduce potential long-term metabolic risks for children born via ART.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and some human follow-up studies have reported altered gene expression and metabolic changes after embryo manipulation, but the causal molecular mechanisms remain unresolved.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rinaudo, Paolo — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Rinaudo, Paolo
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.