Pesticide exposure and fertility health as people move from adolescence to adulthood
Official title: The ESPINA Study 19th Year Follow-Up: A Longitudinal Investigation of Pesticide Exposures in relation to Fertility and Hormonal Health
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11555862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This long-term study follows people in Ecuador to see how pesticide exposure over the years relates to fertility and hormones as they become young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $141,727 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES030378-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11555862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals who were adolescents or young adults in Pedro Moncayo County and have historical or current exposure to agricultural pesticides, with willingness to provide biospecimens and health information.
✕Less likely to help
People without pesticide exposure or those not in the study region may not directly benefit from findings.
What this research studies
We will track a cohort from adolescence into their twenties in Pedro Moncayo County, Ecuador, collecting biospecimens and health data over time to understand how past and current pesticide exposures relate to fertility and hormonal health. The study uses biomarkers to measure exposure and track reproductive biomarkers in stored samples, aiming to connect environmental factors with changes in fertility. Results could help families, clinicians, and policymakers understand risks and protection strategies for reproductive health over the life course.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform guidance to reduce pesticide exposure and protect fertility and hormonal health for future generations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior longitudinal studies with biomarker exposure have shown associations between pesticides and reproductive hormones, but this study's focus on adolescence through young adulthood and a specific agricultural region is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suarez, Jose Ricardo — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Suarez, Jose Ricardo
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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.