# Development of a High-Throughput Platform for Screening Ovotoxic Chemicals

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 2020 · $2,537

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY 
Increasing evidence shows that a broad spectrum of both industrial and environmental chemicals can cause 
female ovarian toxicity (ovotoxicity) and increase the risk of hormonal imbalance, ovarian failure, and infertility 
in both humans and other mammalian species. The ovary is the primary female reproductive organ and functions 
to synthesize and secret steroid hormones and to support the oocyte maturation for ovulation, fertilization, and 
pregnancy. Ovotoxicity can be measured in two ways, from the health of the developing ovarian follicle and 
gamete and from the ability of the gonads to produce hormones. Unfortunately, the lack of optimal in vitro models 
makes the current gold standard for testing the ovotoxicity of chemicals rely on the use of laboratory animals. 
However, in vivo models are time-­consuming, costly, and harmful to animals. In our previous studies, we have 
used an alginate hydrogel-­based encapsulation method to grow both mouse and human preantral follicles 
outside of the context of the ovary, which is termed encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG). The eIVFG 
maintains the 3D architecture of the follicles and supports follicle growth, hormone secretion as well as oocyte 
maturation and ovulation, suggesting a promising model for in vitro ovotoxicity testing. However, this method is 
relatively slow, and multiple rounds of follicle isolation, culture, and chemical exposure are necessary to complete 
dose-­response and time-­course experiments, making the current eIVFG scenario not optimal, particularly when 
a rapid screening is required in the case of unpredictable and emerging environmental threats. In this proposed 
project, we hypothesize that we can use cryopreservation technology and a confocal high-­content imaging 
system to develop a high-­throughput platform for screening ovotoxic chemicals. In Aim 1, we will bank the 
isolated ovarian follicles through vitrification for establishing a long-­term and ready-­to-­use follicle storage platform. 
In Aim 2, we will use the ImageXpress confocal high-­content imaging system to develop a high-­throughput 
platform for follicle monitoring, assessing, and analysis. We expect that these proposed studies will allow us to 
obtain rapid and reliable evidences to understand the impacts of environmental contaminants on the female 
reproductive system, to provide guidance to conduct preventive and protective activities, as well as to minimize 
the dependence and use of animals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9837442
- **Project number:** 5K01ES030014-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Shuo Xiao
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,537
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-15 → 2020-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9837442

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9837442, Development of a High-Throughput Platform for Screening Ovotoxic Chemicals (5K01ES030014-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9837442. Licensed CC0.

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