Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
Official title: Male pesticide exposure, reproductive health and epigenetics
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11606670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,139 |
| NIH project number | 7R01ES034700-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are reproductive-age men and couples planning pregnancy, especially those with fertility concerns or exposure to agricultural environments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to pesticides or those not seeking pregnancy may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
Men’s exposure to common pesticides could influence sperm health and offspring outcomes by altering epigenetic marks. The study will measure pesticide biomarkers in urine and examine how they relate to semen quality, sperm DNA methylation, and mitochondrial DNA markers. It will also explore whether these paternal exposures are linked to pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, considering female exposure as well. The goal is to uncover biological pathways that connect environmental factors with reproductive health and potential risks for offspring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to clearer guidance on how environmental pesticide exposure affects male fertility and pregnancy outcomes, informing prevention and public health strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked paternal exposures to sperm epigenetic changes, but this project extends that work to pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Minguez Alarcon, Lidia — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Minguez Alarcon, Lidia
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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.