Paternal epigenome and early embryo development in humans and cattle
Official title: Contribution of the paternal histone epigenome to embryo development and pregnancy loss
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11329540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how the father's epigenetic marks in sperm may influence embryo development and pregnancy loss in humans and cattle.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $331,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD115652-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Humans: individuals or couples experiencing pregnancy loss or fertility issues related to paternal factors; Animals: cattle breeders and veterinary researchers.
✕Less likely to help
People or cattle without risks related to paternal epigenome changes may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how paternal chromatin changes in bull sperm relate to early embryo development and pregnancy loss, using samples from bulls with known fertility differences. The study combines molecular analyses of DNA packaging and histone modifications with embryonic outcomes to understand mechanisms that lead to pregnancy loss. Insights may point to new ways to predict or prevent pregnancy failure in both cattle and people. The work could pave the way for targeted interventions or diagnostics in reproductive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of why some pregnancies fail could lead to new tests or strategies to reduce pregnancy loss in humans and cattle.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links sperm chromatin changes to infertility and embryo outcomes, but the exact mechanisms remain largely unknown, making this an exploratory but plausible next step.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luense, Lacey J — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Luense, Lacey J
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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.