Understanding how stress affects egg development in females
Official title: Interrogating the Role of HSF1 in Ovarian Stress
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10910155 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress during pregnancy might affect the development of a baby girl's future eggs, focusing on a specific protein that helps manage stress, and it aims to understand how this could impact future generations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,436 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HD110208-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910155 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, particularly those experiencing high levels of stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not have a history of stress-related reproductive issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of physiological stress during pregnancy on the development of fetal oocytes, which are the precursors to eggs in females. It focuses on the role of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) and how stress-related hormones influence oocyte competence. By utilizing advanced techniques such as three-dimensional imaging and genetic mouse models, the study aims to create a detailed map of HSF1 expression and its effects on oocyte development. This could provide insights into how maternal stress can affect future generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of reproductive health and potential interventions for stress-related fertility issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that stress can negatively impact reproductive health, but this specific investigation into HSF1 and fetal oocyte development is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foecke, Mariko — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Foecke, Mariko
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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.