Reproductive Medicine Group
Early Reproductive Events
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Carmen J. Williams, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator -
Tel (919) 541-2158
Fax (919) 541-0696
williamsc5@niehs.nih.govCurriculum Vitae (252KB) -
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop E4-05
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Delivery Instructions
Research Summary
The Reproductive Medicine Group focuses on basic reproductive biology of early mammalian embryogenesis including gametes, fertilization, preimplantation embryo development, and implantation. The basic bench science is focused on specific questions that have direct relevance to human reproduction, and how the environment influences these aspects of reproduction.
Mechanisms underlying effects of environmental chemical exposures on early reproduction
Naturally occurring phytoestrogens (estrogenic chemicals found in plants) are readily available in the diet, and many estrogenic chemicals are released into the environment. Depending on the dose and timing of exposure, these types of chemicals can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on health. We use a mouse model to study the effects on female reproductive health of neonatal exposure to estrogenic chemicals. Female mice exposed immediately after birth to estrogenic chemicals have multi-oocyte follicles, lack regular estrus cycles, and are completely infertile even after superovulation because of defects in how the oviduct and uterus function. We are currently examining the molecular mechanisms underlying how estrogenic chemical exposure leads to these defects in the reproductive tract environment. This project has direct relevance to understanding how endocrine disrupting chemicals or other environmental factors can impact early reproductive events and potentially lead to reproductive failure in women.
Signal transduction mechanisms of egg activation and preimplantation embryo development
The transition of an unfertilized egg, which is arrested in metaphase of meiosis II, to a developing totipotent embryo, requires completion of a sequence of events known as egg activation. These events include cortical granule exocytosis, modifications of the zona pellucida and plasma membrane that prevent polyspermy, completion of meiosis, recruitment of maternal mRNAs into polysomes for translation, formation of male and female pronuclei, and activation of the embryonic genome. Egg activation is initiated by repetitive oscillations in intracellular calcium. These oscillations begin after sperm-egg plasma membrane fusion when the sperm releases phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) into the egg’s cytoplasm. Continuation of these oscillations requires calcium entry into the egg from the extracellular medium to replenish calcium stores. In addition, this calcium influx triggers signaling pathways important for polar body emission. Endogenous egg PLC isoforms likely complement the sperm PLCζ activity to maintain the calcium oscillations. We hypothesize that inadequate calcium oscillatory patterns at fertilization could explain a spectrum of failure for the infertile couple, including failed fertilization, poor preimplantation embryo development, and even clinical pregnancy followed by miscarriage.
Major areas of research:
- Effects of the environment on gamete and embryo quality and reproductive tract function
- Signal transduction mechanisms of egg activation and preimplantation embryo development
Current projects:
- Effects of neonatal estrogenic chemical exposure on reproductive tract function in the mouse model
- Effects of fetal bisphenol A exposure on female reproductive tract development
- PLCζ as a marker of human sperm function
- Egg PLCβ1 as a modulator of calcium oscillations at fertilization
- Modulators of embryonic genome activation after fertilization
- Spatiotemporal aspects of calcium signaling at fertilization
Carmen J. Williams, M.D., Ph.D, leads the Reproductive Medicine Group within the Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology. She received an M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine in 1986, then completed a Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital in 1990 and a Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. After her clinical training she went on to complete a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and subsequent postdoctoral fellowship training at Penn. She became an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, where she served as an attending physician in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility while running an active basic research laboratory in the Center for Research on Reproduction & Women’s Health. She moved to the NIEHS in September, 2007.
For more information on Selected Publications and Scientists & Staff for the Reproductive Medicine Group, please see the other group page in the Clinical Research Program ("/Rhythmyx/assembler/render?sys_contentid=28718&sys_revision=3&sys_variantid=639&sys_context=0&sys_authtype=0&sys_siteid=&sys_folderid=" sys_dependentvariantid="639" sys_dependentid="28718" inlinetype="rxhyperlink" rxinlineslot="103" sys_dependentid="28718" sys_siteid="" sys_folderid="").
