Sheba Medical Center Launches Major Study on Ovaries and Aging

Researchers at Sheba Medical Center have received a significant $6 million grant to lead a three-year study, OASIS (Ovarian Secretome and Integrated Health Span), investigating the role of the ovaries in aging. The study will track 650 women aged 40-70, examining how ovarian changes influence health span. This research is part of a growing trend to re-evaluate the ovary, previously considered to decline significantly after fertility ends. New findings suggest the ovary remains active and may hold keys to understanding the aging process. The grant was awarded by the US-based Nuttall Foundation, established by Amy and Scott Nuttall, which focuses on advancing women's health research and innovation. The foundation is managed by Professor Michal Alonivitz, a leading researcher from the University of Pennsylvania.

Professors Lauren Patrik and Dr. Abigail Goshen will lead the Sheba research team. Historically, the ovary's function was primarily linked to egg production and hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are known to affect fertility and menopause symptoms. However, emerging research indicates the ovary secretes other hormones and factors that impact various bodily systems, including the brain, cardiovascular and metabolic systems, and skeletal health. "There are increasing signs that the ovary secretes other hormones and factors that we do not yet know," stated Dr. Goshen. Preliminary studies suggest that post-fertility, the ovary may signal immune system changes associated with inflammation, a known marker of age-related diseases. This could imply the ovary initiates the aging process, making its health a potential predictor of overall body aging.

Professor Patrik highlighted that while women often exhibit stronger cognitive abilities in their 50s, they are more susceptible to conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's in their 60s and 70s, with menopause being a risk factor. The study aims to explore whether these increased risks are due to inherent fragility or a lack of understanding of underlying biological processes. "There are almost no studies examining what happens to the ovaries and their communication with the body in the 40-50 age range," Patrik noted, suggesting that mapping these early changes could identify women at higher risk for more severe menopause and accelerated aging, allowing for early interventions to improve later-life health.

Dr. Goshen observed a growing public demand for research into menopause, driven by women themselves rather than solely the scientific community. Professor Patrik added that this surge in interest is not originating from academia, with women actively using monitoring devices to understand their bodies. Historically, clinical research often excluded women or failed to account for gender differences and variations across different reproductive stages. This lack of specific research means a limited understanding of how these processes affect women's responses to medication. While the study focuses on women, Dr. Goshen acknowledged that insights gained could potentially influence the understanding of aging in men as well, given the presence of similar hormones and factors in both sexes.