Cows may offer clues to improving fertility in women

An MSU researcher has received a $1.65 million grant that looks to bring a better understanding about fertility treatments in women by studying the effect of hormones on ovulation and reproduction in cows.

A Michigan State University researcher has received a $1.65 million grant that looks to bring a better understanding about fertility treatments in women by studying the effect of hormones on ovulation and reproduction in cows.

“Cattle are a useful model because they have a relatively long reproductive cycle similar to women and they ovulate a single egg at the end of each cycle,” said James Ireland, a professor of reproductive physiology. “Plus, a cow with a smaller egg reserve typically doesn’t respond to fertility methods as well as cattle who have more eggs stored, a phenomenon women often experience too.”

With funding from the National Institutes of Health and United States Department of Agriculture, Ireland will lead the five-year study with Keith Latham, co-director of the Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program at MSU. Richard Leach, chair of MSU’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, will also contribute to the project.

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