Investigating how oil and gas development affects fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Official title: A Preconception Cohort Study on Oil and Gas Development, Fertility, and Pregnancy
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10919231 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how living near oil and gas facilities might affect couples trying to have a baby, focusing on their fertility and pregnancy outcomes, so we can better understand any potential risks to reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $412,500 |
| NIH project number | 5DP5OD033415-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919231 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are couples trying to conceive, particularly those living within 1.6 km of oil and gas development facilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not trying to conceive or those living far from oil and gas development sites may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the impact of oil and gas development on reproductive health, particularly fertility and pregnancy outcomes. It involves a large cohort of couples trying to conceive, with a specific emphasis on those living near oil and gas facilities. The study will collect data on exposure to harmful pollutants and analyze how these exposures may influence reproductive health. By leveraging existing data and recruiting additional participants, the research aims to provide a comprehensive view of the potential risks associated with living near these developments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and guidelines for reproductive health in communities near oil and gas developments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated potential risks associated with environmental pollutants, but this research is among the first to specifically focus on oil and gas development and reproductive health.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Willis, Mary D — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Willis, Mary D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how oil and gas development affects fertility and pregnancy in marginalized communities
This study is looking at how living near oil and gas development might affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes, especially for people in communities that face challenges like segregation, and it aims to help understand how environmental factors impact reproductive health.
-
Investigating how male factors affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes
This study is exploring how things like lifestyle, diet, and health history affect men's fertility and pregnancy success, and it's inviting couples to share information and samples online to help uncover what really matters for male reproductive health.
-
Understanding pregnancy preferences in Uganda
This study is looking to improve how we understand what women and men in Uganda want when it comes to pregnancy, by adapting a survey to better fit their culture and experiences, so they can share their thoughts more easily.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
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.