Research

Members of the Division are actively engaged in basic, translational, and clinical research, focused primarily on the mechanisms involved in embryo implantation, oocyte and early embryo development, and reproductive aging. 

Laboratory Research

Dr. Young’s laboratory is focused on gaining a better understanding of endometrial function in medical disorders such as abnormal bleeding and endometriosis, and on the molecular mechanisms involved in embryo implantation, relating to infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.  Current work is focused on characterizing the function and regulation of a transcription factor (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein [C-EBP] beta, a critical mediator of murine endometrial function during embryo implantation) and of G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (an integral membrane protein with high affinity for estrogen) across the human endometrial cycle. 

Dr. Ramos’s laboratory is conducting studies using a transgenic mouse model to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in oocyte maturation and early embryo development, focusing on the role of a messenger RNA binding protein (Delta N-Zinc Finger Protein 36 like 2, ΔN-Zfp36L2).

Dr. Williams’ laboratory is conducting studies 1) using a mouse model to understand how sperm induce calcium oscillations in eggs, resulting in egg activation and preimplantation embryo development;  2) using human sperm to examine a sperm protein involved in egg activation; and 3) using a mouse model to study effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals/environmental toxins on gamete and embryo quality and female reproductive tract function.

Translational Research

Ongoing work, directed by Dr. Young, uses a human model established by the Division to investigate the effects of variations in the steroid hormone milieu on secretory endometrial maturation and function.  Endometrium is obtained from study subjects in both natural cycles and in modeled cycles created by treatment with varying regimens of exogenous estradiol and progesterone after down-regulation by treatment with a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone.  This line of investigation recently has generated observations that have challenged the traditional paradigm and provided the means to investigate endometrial dysfunction in women with endometriosis.

Clinical Research

Dr. Steiner is investigating the value of a variety of clinical measures of “ovarian reserve” (referring to the size and quality of the remaining oocyte population) for predicting fertility and infertility in the general population.  Her study recruits reproductive age women ready to begin active pursuit of pregnancy, measures a number of laboratory parameters in serum and urine, and follows the study population to determine their time to conception. 

Dr. Mersereau’s is working to develop validated survey instruments to assess patients’ knowledge and beliefs about fertility preservation strategies before and after consultation with Division physicians, and to create a medical decision-making model for patients in the Fertility Preservation Program.  

The Division also is collaborating, via Dr. Young, with investigators at the University of Virginia in NIH-sponsored research aimed at determining whether the prevalence of “premutations” in the fragile X gene (FMR1), known to be associated with premature ovarian failure, is sufficient to warrant screening for young infertile women having endocrine characteristics that suggest early reproductive aging.