Women are endowed with only a finite number of oocytes. These
oocytes derive from a small population of primordial germ cells
(PGC) which migrate to the genital ridge. Little is known about the
determinants of germ cell development, migration, maturation and loss.
Improving our understanding of these issues is critical to many aspects of
reproductive health for women. Our group is studying folliculogenesis:
normal, pathological (PCOS) and pharmacological (stimulation for fertility
management). Further, our studies span from collaborations with the bench
researcher looking at genetic determinants of oocyte endowment and atresia
and development of PGC from embryonic stem cells, to clinical studies
involving perturbations of the natural system to understand and control
folliculogenesis, to epidemiological where we are developing a cohort of 1250
ethnically diverse women to study genetic and clinical markers of ovarian aging.
In the short term, these studies may improve ovarian stimulation and
diagnostics for ovarian function, as well as improve in vitro culture
conditions and the development of oocyte in vitro maturation strategies
which would increase the pool of oocytes available for SCNT. In the long
term, the knowledge gained will be utilized to treat infertility in women
with premature ovarian aging and those at risk for ovarian failure secondary
to treatment for malignancy.
Selected Publications
Cedars MI. (2004) Polycystic ovary syndrome: what is it and how should we treat it? J Pediatr. 144(1):4-6
Shahine LK, Cedars MI (2006) Preimplantation genetic diagnosis does not increase
pregnancy rates in patients at risk for aneuploidy. Fertil Steril. 85(1):51-6.
Shen S, Rosen MP, Dobson AT, Fujimoto VY, McCulloch CE, Cedars MI (2006)
Day 2 transfer improves pregnancy outcome in in
vitro fertilization cycles with few available embryos. Fertil Steril. 86(1):44-50.
Jackson JE, Rosen M, McLean T, Moro J, Croughan M, Cedars MI (2007) Prevalence of celiac disease
in a cohort of women with unexplained infertility. Fertil Steril.
Information last updated September 2007
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