Novel approaches for human oocyte development
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel approaches for human oocyte development
IRAS ID
207785
Contact name
RA Anderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The adult ovary contains several thousand structures called follicles, each containing an oocyte. Every day, some of these follicles start to grow and each month one follicle is chosen to go on and release the egg at ovulation. This process of activation is the most important factor that determines a woman's reproductive lifespan and when she will enter menopause. However, almost nothing is known about how this process is regulated in humans.
It has also been believed for many years that it is not possible to make more follicles after you have been born. However recent research has identified what have been called ‘oogonial stem cells’. We have been able to find these cells in the ovaries of adult women, and it is possible that they may be able to form follicles by interacting with other cells of the ovary, and subsequently develop into mature oocytes.
This study is looking at how follicle activation is regulated, and optimising the culture system that we have developed that supports oocyte maturation outside the body to support complete oocyte development. Using this we will investigate the role of mechanisms that have been shown to affect the rate of follicle activation in mice by adding factors that disrupt (inhibit/stimulate) them. Oocyte development and function can then be tested after these manipulations: this ultimately means testing whether the oocytes matured in the lab can undergo normal fertilisation, and form embryos. The results obtained could lead to improved treatments for POI and infertility, as well as development of methods to regulate female fertility.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
16/SS/0114
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion