Understanding ovarian ageing: GermAge

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The aging germ cell – biological pathways, risk factors and mechanisms underlying an increasing medical and socio-economic problem

• IRAS ID

  181024

• Contact name

  Meenakshi Choudhary

• Contact email

  meenakshi.choudhary@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  4 years, 8 months, days

• Research summary

  In female mammals the lifetime stock of eggs (germ cells) is established during fetal development. This becomes depleted throughout life and as women grow older, they are at increased risk of having infertility, miscarriages, and genetically abnormal babies such as Down’s syndrome and with enormous implications on their reproductive health. The most likely explanation is due to problems in the egg during the separation of chromosomes.

  While the underlying causes of the “maternal-age effect” have long remained enigmatic, recent work in mouse eggs (oocytes) from our lab and others have identified plausible molecular candidates. The next step in this research is to test the clinical significance of these findings by performing studies in human eggs. We hope that these laboratory studies will help us better understand the mechanisms underlying the chromosomal abnormalities in eggs of older women.
  In addition, we will build on ongoing work in the mouse to optimize freezing techniques of ovarian tissue with a view to improving future reproductive outcomes of women and young girls undergoing cancer treatments which can result in premature ovarian ageing due to acute depletion of the egg reserve.

  Human eggs for this study will be obtained from the following sources:

  (ii) Immature oocytes from altruistic donors aged 18-55 years.
  (ii) Ovarian tissue from females undergoing gynaecological surgery
  
  The findings of this research will advance our understanding of the molecular basis for the maternal-age effect and will provide insight into the feasibility of risk reduction strategies. The work will also lead to translation of a clinical programme to preserve ovarian tissue for female cancer patients.

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/NE/0003

• Date of REC Opinion

  3 Mar 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion