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H2020Doctoral network2019–2024

EUROVA · European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-11-01 → 2024-10-31
EU contribution
€3,970,861
Participants
11
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net

“Ex Ovo Omnia”: “From the egg comes all” (William Harvey 1578-1657): The oocyte is the foundation of life, developing from a single fertilized cell to a multicellular organism capable of an independent existence. Oocyte quality, is influenced by many physiological and environmental factors, which can ultimately have long-term consequences for female fertility and the health of their offspring. Given the centrality of the oocyte to reproduction, excellent basic oocyte biology research is essential to develop safe new therapies and interventions in Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART), gamete storage and fertility enhancement therapies. The EUROVA consortium came about to address the knowledge deficit in oocyte biology which was identified as a major barrier to addressing global issues relating to fertility and reproduction in human, livestock and endangered species. The project aimed to address the critical knowledge gaps in oocyte biology that hinder advancements in fertility and reproduction for humans, livestock and endangered species. Oocyte development, is influenced by various physiological and environmental factors, ultimately affecting fertility and offspring health. Recognising this, the EUROVA consortium initiated a comprehensive PhD training program for 15 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) to build expertise in oocyte biology within Europe. The program combined specialist training in oocyte biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, microscopy, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), alongside transferable skills for academic and industrial applications. The research objectives included creating a cross-species molecular and morphological reference map of mammalian oocyte growth and understanding the effects of maternal age on oocyte quality, as well as developing innovative ART solutions for sub-fertile donors. The ESRs undertook reserach projects aligned to one or both research objectives, the results of their work provide a deeper understanding of oocyte biology and offer practical fertility interventions.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The hallmark of successful mammalian reproduction is the fusion between a haploid spermatozoon and a metaphase II oocyte. The generation of such an oocyte involves a series of steps whereby germinal-vesicle oocytes (in which the nuclei are intact) at prophase I are stimulated to resume meiosis and mature to metaphase II, a sequence of events that prepares the oocyte for fertilization. Although the treatment of infertility by Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) has been increasingly successful, the efficiency remains low with only about 1 in 10 eggs retrieved from women undergoing infertility treatments healthy enough to produce a pregnancy and birth. In healthy fertile livestock species, where ARTs are applied for production purposes this number increases to 1 in 6 eggs retrieved, which is still remarkably inefficient. The greatest block to advancement, is the substantial lack of knowledge on the key regulatory checkpoints and processes that determine oocyte health. Such knowledge is key not just to treating infertility and maximising livestock genetic potential and productivity, but also to the field of regenerative medicine, where the reprogramming potential of the oocyte cytoplasm is critical to reprogramming somatic genomes. The EUROVA ETN will train a consolidate European Oocyte Biology Research, train a new cohort of Reproductive scientists and generate new knowledge. A deeper knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms set in place during the trajectory of oocyte growth, maturation, fertilization and oocyte to zygote transition will lead to innovations in ART, animal breeding, endangered species preservation, regenerative medicine and reproductive toxicology.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
  • CHERRY BIOTECH · MONTREUILFrance
  • ELVESYS · PARISFrance
  • EUVITRO SLU · BARCELONASpain
  • FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN EV · BerlinGermany
  • REGION HOVEDSTADEN · HillerodDenmark
  • THE BABRAHAM INSTITUTE · CambridgeUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO · MilanoItaly
  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentBelgium
  • VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union