Stern College, Yeshiva University (YU) is located in mid-town Manhattan. New York city was among the first epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 cases in NYC went sharply up. The initial COVID-19 cases followed by a significant spread were also detected at Yeshiva University. As a result of the alarming situation with COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization cases, NYC went into lockdown by the end of March of 2020. YU completely closed all its building with no access to the research laboratories. The university buildings were reopened to students and personnel only in August 2021. Animal studies (mostly under Aim1 of the project) were significantly affected because all mouse models had to be terminated. As a result, the project was significantly delayed since we had to restore the LoxP mouse model for the completion of Aim1. The additional IVF procedures followed by animal breeding required extra time and money. The requested funds will compensate for the indicated losses and allow us to complete the original aims of the proposal.

In at least half of all cases of human infertility (one in every six couples who are trying to conceive) male spermatogenic failure is a major or contributing cause. This work focuses on studies of the biological functions of novel proteins (SUMO) in different types of testicular cells, leading to the better understanding of possible causes of male infertility, thus improving human healthcare. The research progress of the lab was seriously affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Yeshiva University laboratories were closed from March till August of 2021 and mouse models had to be terminated. Due to the losses caused by the pandemics, more funds will be needed to replace animal expenses and personnel time.