Oct. 7, 2025
Learning how egg cells are maintained in the female body may provide insight into how ovarian dysfunction, insufficiencies and aging impact the rest of the body, which could pave the way for future prevention and treatments.
Now, Lei Lei, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, has received a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her research into women’s health issues.
“My lab focuses on the development and function of the ovaries,” Lei said. “Our goal with this grant is to study how the body maintains egg cells for decades in the adult ovary and supports fertility and ovarian function.”
Lei’s team will also study the individual cell parts and cellular processes involved, such as RNA translation. Ovarian dysfunction or insufficiency can lead to fertility and endocrine issues, but it can lead to other effects that aren’t directly tied to the reproductive organs.
“We’ve seen it linked to endocrine disruption and an increased incidence of issues in bone, cognition and cardiovascular health in women,” Lei said.
The research could also help scientists better understand how cancer treatments may harm female fertility and assist in identifying potential therapeutic targets for fertility preservation, especially for young cancer patients.
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