Understanding tiny packets from the ovary to improve egg freezing
Official title: Investigating the physiological significance of follicular extracellular vesicle miRNAs: From gonadotropin control of biogenesis to application in oocyte vitrification
Funded at Smithsonian Institution · NIH-11336922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying tiny cell-made vesicles in ovarian fluid to see if they can boost the success of using frozen eggs, with a focus on how these vesicles and their miRNA messages could help eggs stay healthy after freezing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smithsonian Institution NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, DC, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $270,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110572-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336922 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people considering or using oocyte cryopreservation or assisted reproductive technologies and who are open to participating in related future translational research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing egg cryopreservation or ARTs may not directly benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how small, membrane-bound particles called extracellular vesicles in ovarian fluid might regulate egg quality and development, especially when eggs are frozen for future use. By using a cat model and lab systems that imitate hormone exposure, the team will examine how miRNAs inside ffEVs influence cell processes related to fertilization and embryo growth. They will also test whether supplementing ffEVs can improve outcomes in vitro, potentially translating findings to human ARTs. The work combines cell culture, microfluidic simulations of hormone patterns, and analysis of gene expression to uncover mechanisms and potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better egg freezing methods and higher chances of healthy pregnancies after thawing.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests ffEVs can influence embryo development and meiotic resumption, but translation to humans remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nagashima, Jennifer — Smithsonian Institution
- Study coordinator: Nagashima, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving Egg Freezing Success Using Natural Cell Messengers
This research explores how tiny natural messengers from ovarian cells might help improve the success of frozen eggs for women undergoing fertility treatments.
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Understanding how certain molecules in ovarian fluid can improve egg freezing techniques
This study is looking at how tiny particles in the fluid around cat eggs might help improve the freezing process for eggs, which could lead to better results in fertility treatments for people.
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.