Human fertility is a complex trait with multiple genetic and environmental determinants. However, the genes involved in human female fertility, in particular the formation and maintenance of oocytes (eggs), have yet to be discovered. Over the course of a woman's lifetime her oocytes/follicles are continually lost through the process of atresia (cell death) and ovulation. There is great variability in the quality and quantity of the oocyte pool, or ovarian reserve, among women. We hypothesize that the ovarian reserve is largely determined by genetic factors that impact early germ cell and oocyte formation. By combining classical human genetics, a cutting edge genome-wide microarray approach, and novel stem cell biology approaches my research plan aims to identify the genetic factors that are associated with oocyte/follicle number and quality at both the population and cellular level in women. Specifically, we aim to determine the associations between common genetic variants and a woman's antral follicle count, and how various environmental/anthropometric factors and ethnicity affect follicle numbers. This study will include a large recruited sample of ethnically-diverse women, ages 25-45. Using ultrasound imaging of the ovaries we will assess each woman's antral follicle count (AFC), which is an indicator of the number of remaining eggs she has. Detailed lifestyle and health questionnaires, body measurements, and blood samples for hormonal and genetic analyses, will be collected. A genome-wide microarray approach that includes over 1.8 million markers for single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variants will be used to identify genes and chromosomal regions likely to be linked with the oocyte reserve. The functional roles of particularly strong genetic links will be explored using our novel in vitro embryonic stem cell-germ cell system. Ultimately, the goals are to translate our findings into clinical applications;to use AFC and genetic markers to prospectively identify women at risk for premature decline in the ovarian reserve and infertility.
The results of our study will provide a greater understanding of the potential genetic factors and environmental influences that impact the human female oocyte (egg)/follicle endowment and female fertility. Importantly, the ability to assess and share this information will allow women to be proactive in managing their fertility, as well as to better understand their reproductive timeframe and risks associated with a diminishing ovarian reserve. Ultimately, this work may have clinical implications for better predicting rates of follicle loss, improving pregnancy planning and infertility treatment decisions, and ultimately improving a couple's ability to conceive a normal healthy child.
| Schuh-Huerta, Sonya M; Johnson, Nicholas A; Rosen, Mitchell P et al. (2012) Genetic markers of ovarian follicle number and menopause in women of multiple ethnicities. Hum Genet 131:1709-24 |
| Schuh-Huerta, Sonya M; Johnson, Nicholas A; Rosen, Mitchell P et al. (2012) Genetic variants and environmental factors associated with hormonal markers of ovarian reserve in Caucasian and African American women. Hum Reprod 27:594-608 |
| Murray, P P; Stadel, B V; Schlesselman, J J (1989) Oral contraceptive use in women with a family history of breast cancer. Obstet Gynecol 73:977-83 |
