How everyday cosmetic chemicals may affect women's fertility
Mapping the cosmetic chemical exposome and its role in female fertility
This project looks at whether chemicals from cosmetics appear in blood and ovarian fluid and link to fertility in women trying to have children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473950 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure thousands of environmental chemicals and natural metabolites at once using high-resolution mass spectrometry in blood and the fluid that surrounds eggs (follicular fluid). They will combine those chemical profiles with information about cosmetic use and clinical fertility measures such as oocyte counts and pregnancy outcomes. By comparing chemical patterns with ovarian health biomarkers and fertility results, the team aims to find molecular pathways that could explain reduced ovary function. The work builds on earlier pilot data and seeks to point to common exposure sources and opportunities to prevent harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women of reproductive age, especially those undergoing fertility care or IVF who can provide blood and follicular fluid samples and report their cosmetic product use.
Not a fit: People who are not trying to conceive, are not of reproductive age, or cannot provide clinical samples (for example, those not undergoing fertility procedures) are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify specific cosmetic-related chemicals that harm fertility and inform ways to reduce exposure or guide clinical advice for women trying to conceive.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked a few known chemicals to poorer ovarian outcomes, but large untargeted exposomics in follicular fluid is relatively new and has only shown early promising results.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Anna Swift — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Young, Anna Swift
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.