Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Vermont received a $436,003 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. This award funds research to identify genetic determinants of ovarian aging and reproductive lifespan in women. The project utilizes the Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse model to characterize the continuum of ovarian function across the lifespan and to construct a comprehensive ovarian aging transcriptome atlas using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The research aims to fill a critical gap in understanding reproductive aging genetics, as current studies have identified only approximately 30% of the heritability associated with menopausal timing, leaving the majority of genetic drivers unidentified.

The primary deliverables include: (1) comprehensive phenotypic characterization of ovarian reserve, endocrine function, follicular dynamics, and molecular aging markers in selected CC strains exhibiting low anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and subfertility; and (2) development of an ovarian aging transcriptome atlas identifying differentially expressed genes and biological pathways that regulate ovarian function across the lifespan. These research outputs directly support the NICHD 2025 Strategic Plan priority of understanding genetic and biological drivers of reproductive aging, with implications for women's health, longevity, and quality of life.