SMAD5 and PCOS/PMOS: a new genetic clue to infertility
Official title: SMAD5 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11595517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at Baylor College of Medicine is studying a genetic variant in SMAD5 that may cause a form of PCOS/PMOS and could lead to new ways to diagnose or treat infertility.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HD122938-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with PCOS/PMOS who have or carry the SMAD5 variant or related AMH/TGFb signaling disruptions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PCOS/PMOS or without the SMAD5-related pathway involvement may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on a genetic variant in SMAD5 that may disrupt signals controlling egg development and ovarian function in women with PCOS/PMOS. Researchers will use mouse models and structural analyses to understand how the SMAD5 change affects the AMH/TGFb signaling pathway that guides follicle growth. The work builds on prior findings and aims to link a human genetic change to a measurable effect in animals and cells, laying groundwork for targeted therapies. The goal is to reveal why some women with PCOS/PMOS experience infertility and how to intervene more precisely in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new genetic tests and targeted treatments helping women with PCOS/PMOS improve fertility.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked AMH signaling to PCOS/PMOS, but this project tests a specific SMAD5 variant as a potential causal factor.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pangas, Stephanie a. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pangas, Stephanie a.
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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.