Understanding the role of a specific enzyme in female fertility and ovarian health
Official title: Requirement for Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase function in mammalian ovarian health and fertility
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-11052599 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $407,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111322-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052599 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women of reproductive age experiencing infertility, particularly those with unexplained infertility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of reproductive age or those with known causes of infertility unrelated to ovarian reserve may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grive, Kathryn J — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Grive, Kathryn J
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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.