Understanding how egg cells are formed and maintained in women's ovaries
Official title: Ovarian reserve formation and maintenance
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10772155 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain changes in immature egg cells help keep a woman's supply of eggs healthy over time, which is important for her ability to have children and can affect how long she stays fertile.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,208 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD110146-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10772155 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women of reproductive age who are interested in understanding their fertility and ovarian health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are post-menopausal or those who have undergone surgical removal of their ovaries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of epigenetic states in oocytes, which are immature egg cells, that reside in primordial follicles and contribute to the maintenance of the ovarian reserve in women. The ovarian reserve is crucial for defining a woman's reproductive lifespan, and the study aims to uncover how these egg cells are preserved over time. By isolating non-growing oocytes, the researchers will analyze their chromatin profiles to understand the mechanisms that prevent the depletion of these cells, which can lead to menopause. This work could provide insights into female fertility and longevity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potential treatments for female infertility and menopause-related issues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding ovarian biology, but this specific approach to studying epigenetic states in oocytes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Namekawa, Satoshi — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Namekawa, Satoshi
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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.