NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating how phthalate exposure affects women's reproductive aging

Official title: Phthalate Exposure and Female Reproductive Aging

Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11226341 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain chemicals in our environment, called phthalates, might affect how quickly the female reproductive system ages, which could lead to fertility issues and health risks, and it’s using female mice to help us understand these effects better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Champaign, United States)
Project startDecember 1, 2022
Project endOctober 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$71,628
NIH project number3R01ES034112-03S1
Project IDNIH-11226341 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are women aged 21 and older who may be concerned about reproductive health and aging.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not affected by reproductive aging or those who are not exposed to phthalates may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how exposure to certain environmental chemicals, specifically phthalates, impacts the aging of the female reproductive system. It aims to identify the mechanisms behind early reproductive aging, which can lead to infertility and increased health risks. The study will analyze the effects of these chemicals on inflammation and reproductive health in female mice, providing insights that could be relevant to human health. By examining gene expression and inflammatory responses, the research seeks to uncover critical factors that contribute to reproductive aging.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for early reproductive aging in women.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that environmental chemicals can impact reproductive health, suggesting that this research could build on established findings.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Champaign, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Flaws, Jodi a. — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Study coordinator: Flaws, Jodi a.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Phthalate exposure and aging of the female reproductive system

    This project looks at how certain plastics chemicals may speed up aging of the female reproductive system and affect fertility and health.

    NIH research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, United States · NIH-11469782

  • Everyday plastic chemicals and women's reproductive aging

    This work looks at whether common phthalates found in plastics speed up reproductive aging in adult women.

    NIH research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, United States · NIH-11469589

  • Aging and neutrophil protection in the female genital tract

    This grant looks at how aging changes the immune protection in the female genital tract, focusing on neutrophils and their early responses to infections.

    NIH research Wayne State University · Detroit, United States · NIH-11378574

  • Role of retrotransposons in aging ovaries

    This NIH grant explores how certain retrotransposons affect aging of female reproductive cells and development, with potential implications for fertility and healthy aging.

    NIH research University of California Berkeley · Berkeley, United States · NIH-11335652

  • Menopause and brain aging in female mice

    A study using mice to explore how menopause-related hormonal changes affect brain aging in females.

    NIH research University of Southern California · Los Angeles, UNITED STATES · NIH-11303182

  • Short-term midlife estrogen and memory in women

    This research tests whether a short course of estrogen in midlife helps protect women's memory and slow brain aging.

    NIH research Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, United States · NIH-11300960

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.