Understanding the role of a specific enzyme in female fertility and ovarian health

Requirement for Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase function in mammalian ovarian health and fertility

NIH-funded research Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-11052599

This study is looking at how a specific enzyme called UCHL1 impacts women's ovarian health and fertility, with the hope of finding ways to better understand and improve fertility for women trying to conceive.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWomen and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052599 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the enzyme Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase-L1 (UCHL1) affects ovarian health and fertility in women. By studying the function of UCHL1 in both mouse and human oocytes, the research aims to uncover its role in maintaining the ovarian reserve, which is crucial for female reproductive capacity. The project utilizes advanced techniques such as single-cell sequencing to identify regulators of ovarian reserve and measures UCHL1 levels in serum and follicular fluid to explore its signaling functions. The ultimate goal is to enhance understanding of infertility causes and improve fertility outcomes for women.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women of reproductive age experiencing infertility, particularly those with unexplained infertility.

Not a fit: Patients who are not of reproductive age or those with known causes of infertility unrelated to ovarian reserve may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preserving female fertility and addressing unexplained infertility.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of similar enzymes in fertility, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.