# Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $1,549,721

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of the Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine at UC San Diego is to develop understanding of
the fundamental mechanisms that cause disordered function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This application represents our renewal for years 34-38. Our productivity
has been exceptional with 176 papers published since the submission of our previous award. We continue to
produce novel, significant contributions to the reproductive sciences, integrating multidisciplinary clinical,
translational, and basic research to facilitate and accelerate the translation of promising new discoveries into
clinical medicine. We are proposing three integrated, innovative Research Projects, all with experienced,
internationally renowned leaders. The renewal of Project I (Pamela L. Mellon, PL) will address the roles of
FSH transcriptional and secretory control in the dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system in mouse models
of PCOS and premature ovarian failure. The focus will be on the roles of androgen excess, genetics,
epigenetics, and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FSHβ gene associated with PCOS. Project II
(Mark A. Lawson, PL), a new project, will chart novel territory in understanding the roles of fatty acids and
excess androgens in regulating the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator and GnRH sensitivity at the pituitary
in PCOS. Using novel genetically modified mice, highly sensitive assays to measure LH pulses in vivo, mouse
models of PCOS, perifusion cell culture models, high-fat diet, and lipid infusions, this Project investigates the
roles of free fatty acids and androgens in dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and their
overall contribution to the PCOS phenotype. The renewal of Project III (R. Jeffrey Chang, PL) will delineate the
role of androgens on follicle function implicated in anovulation in clinical studies in women with PCOS and
address fundamental mechanisms underlying dysfolliculogenesis in PCOS using a mouse model
overexpressing Cyp17. All three projects include teams of very experienced investigators and integrate basic
and translational studies to address major aspects of the mechanisms of PCOS. The Projects are highly
interactive and synergistic, creating a coherent, mechanistic, and translational research program. The 11
faculty involved in the Center are all at the La Jolla campus of UCSD, most have worked together for many
years, and several are new young investigators that have been recruited to or mentored within the Center. The
Administrative Core supports the Center, provides the Enrichment Programs, and facilitates interactions within
the Center and the NCTRI Program. The new Education/Outreach Core is novel and exciting. Unique strengths
of the Center include its translational accomplishments, outstanding faculty, long-term leadership, integration of
clinical and basic research, cohesive collaboration, and location at UC San Die...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9916782
- **Project number:** 5P50HD012303-38
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** PAMELA L MELLON
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,549,721
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9916782

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9916782, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine (5P50HD012303-38). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9916782. Licensed CC0.

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