Seeing fertilization inside the reproductive tract
In vivo imaging of mammalian fertilization
Researchers are building a new live imaging method to watch how eggs and sperm meet inside the reproductive tract to help people having trouble getting pregnant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235200 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops a new high-resolution optical imaging system to directly observe fertilization inside the mouse fallopian tube. Scientists will combine live imaging techniques with reproductive biology experiments in mice to watch how eggs, sperm, and the oviduct environment interact in real time. The work addresses limits of past approaches that relied on removed tissues, low-resolution views, or non-mammalian models. Insights from these direct observations aim to clarify why fertilization sometimes fails and to inform improvements in infertility care and assisted reproductive technologies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll human participants, but it is focused on problems relevant to people who cannot achieve pregnancy and couples using assisted reproductive technology.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical animal research, people should not expect direct or immediate clinical benefit or enrollment in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal causes of failed fertilization and inform better infertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies.
How similar studies have performed: Direct live imaging of fertilization inside the oviduct is largely novel; previous work used removed organs, low-resolution imaging, or invertebrate models.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larina, Irina — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Larina, Irina
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.