Clinical Research Directory

Epigenetic Clock to Predict Ovarian Aging and Live Birth in ART

Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation estimate biological age and are associated with age-related conditions, but they have not been validated for female fertility. This prospective, multicenter, observational, non-profit cohort study investigated whether epigenetic age, estimated from peripheral blood DNA methylation, differs between women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI) who achieve a live birth and those who do not. In a predefined subgroup of 30 women under 40 years of age, epigenetic age was also assessed after ovarian stimulation. Participation did not change clinical management.

The Bone and hEArt Health Consequences of Ovarian agiNg (BEACON) Study

Ovarian aging is a major driver of a woman's long-term health and disease risk. In particular, the rapid decline in the ovarian reserve that occurs with the menopause transition is linked to a striking increase in the risk for both cardiometabolic disease and osteoporosis. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that earlier age at menopause further exacerbates this risk for ischemic stroke, heart disease, and non-traumatic osteoporotic fracture. Thus, the identification of factors that accelerate ovarian aging is likely to lead to increased incidence and earlier onset of these conditions. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and stillbirth, are major pathophysiological states that have the potential to accelerate depletion of the ovarian reserve due to the chronic inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and epigenetics changes that ensue. This proposal seeks to determine if APOs impact the ovarian aging trajectory and subsequent cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health outcomes. Our central hypothesis is that APOs will accelerate ovarian aging, resulting in greater incidence and earlier onset of cardiometabolic disease and musculoskeletal decline. This hypothesis will be tested by accomplishing three aims designed to: 1) define the trajectory of ovarian aging and the impact of APOs on indicators of ovarian aging over time; 2) correlate the ovarian aging trajectory with the development of cardiometabolic risk; and 3) determine the association of ovarian aging biomarker trajectory on musculoskeletal health. To accomplish these aims we will capitalize on a subset of participants from the large, multisite nuMoM2b cohort that has been followed for fifteen years since the time of their first pregnancy. This project, the Bone and hEArt health Consequences of Ovarian agiNg (BEACON) Study, will utilize the extensive health, behavior, psychosocial and pregnancy data in this cohort, paired with biospecimens from their initial pregnancy and follow-up visits (3-7 \& 7-12 years after pregnancy), as well as data and specimens collected on participants completing an additional study visit. This proposal has the unique opportunity to provide longitudinal insight into the role of APOs in ovarian aging. If APOs are shown to accelerate ovarian aging, this mechanism may contribute to earlier onset of vascular dysfunction, metabolic disease, and musculoskeletal decline that would highlight the need for revised risk stratification for women with APOs, earlier screening (e.g., bone density, blood pressure \& lipids), and the development of targeted prevention strategies. Moreover, these findings could identify critical windows for intervention and reveal novel targets for earlier and more effective therapeutic strategies.

The ROAR Study: Reactive Oxygen Species and Reproduction

This is a prospective cohort study characterizing follicular fluid and serum levels of oxidative stress in women with various infertility diagnoses undergoing in vitro fertilization, and assessing the relationship of oxidative stress to oocyte competence as determined by embryo development outcomes. Furthermore, we will measure oxidative stress in sperm and correlate the overall oxidative stress within the couple with IVF and pregnancy outcomes of the resultant embryos.

Follicular Fluid microRNAs in Ovarian Aging and Reproduction

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in follicular fluid (FF) as biomarkers of ovarian aging and predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. The goal is to identify noninvasive molecular markers that correlate with oocyte quality and reproductive potential, particularly in women of advanced maternal age.