Understanding how stem cells help maintain male fertility
Official title: Spermatogonial stem cell regulation and maintenance of male fertility
Funded at University of Massachusetts Boston · NIH-10360087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in the testes help make sperm, using zebrafish to understand the environment they need to thrive, and the goal is to find new ways to help men who have trouble producing sperm.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $457,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD107594-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10360087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men experiencing infertility issues related to low sperm production.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have infertility due to non-male factors or those with complete absence of sperm production may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in male fertility, particularly focusing on how these cells produce sperm. The study uses zebrafish as a model to explore the complex environment that supports SSCs, including various testicular cell types and circulating factors. By examining the regulatory mechanisms that control SSC maintenance and differentiation, the research aims to uncover critical insights into male infertility. Patients may benefit from findings that could lead to new treatments for those struggling with sperm production.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for male infertility, improving the chances of conception for couples affected by this issue.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding stem cell regulation in fertility, but this specific approach using zebrafish is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siegfried, Kellee R — University of Massachusetts Boston
- Study coordinator: Siegfried, Kellee R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how some Amish communities maintain high birth rates in modern times
A project will build a large, time-sensitive dataset to understand why Amish families keep having many children, even as broader society has much lower birth rates.
-
Fighting fibroids with single-cell data to find new drugs
A study uses patient fibroid and normal tissue cells to find existing drugs that could be repurposed to treat fibroids, with tests in human cells and a mouse model.
-
Pesticide exposure and fertility health as people move from adolescence to adulthood
This long-term study follows people in Ecuador to see how pesticide exposure over the years relates to fertility and hormones as they become young adults.
-
CatSper and calcium signaling in sperm fertility
A study at Yale investigates how a sperm channel called CatSper helps calcium signaling to drive sperm movement and fertility in mammals.
-
How everyday cosmetic chemicals may affect women's fertility
This project looks at whether chemicals from cosmetics appear in blood and ovarian fluid and link to fertility in women trying to have children.
-
Chibby proteins' role in sperm development and male fertility
This project looks at how Chibby family proteins help sperm form and whether problems with these proteins contribute to male infertility.
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.