Molecular clues in sperm aggresomes and their impact on fertility
Official title: Molecular Basis and Embryonic Impact of Sperm Aggresomes in Mammalian Fertility
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11432056 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Sperm carry proteins that can form clumps called aggresomes, and this project looks at how these clumps affect early embryo development in humans and cattle.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $328,897 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD122813-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11432056 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include men undergoing fertility treatment and cattle with subfertility issues where paternal factors may influence outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without fertility concerns or without suspected paternal impact on embryonic development may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how misfolded protein clumps in sperm (aggresomes) influence fertility by studying their composition and how they affect embryos after fertilization. Researchers will use samples from subfertile bulls and men undergoing fertility treatment to identify proteomic signatures and post-translational marks of AGG. The study will examine how AGG cause oxidative stress and delay in embryo development, potentially leading to early pregnancy loss. Findings could reveal new targets to diagnose or prevent paternal factors contributing to infertility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to assess and improve male fertility and embryo viability.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observations in humans and cattle suggest AGG are linked to fertility problems, but the mechanisms are not fully understood and this study builds on those leads.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortega Obando, Martha S — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ortega Obando, Martha S
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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.