Phthalate exposure and aging of the female reproductive system
Official title: Phthalate Exposure and Female Reproductive Aging
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11469782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how certain plastics chemicals may speed up aging of the female reproductive system and affect fertility and health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $530,329 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES034112-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469782 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women who are concerned about or at risk for early reproductive aging and are interested in contributing to research on environmental exposures and aging.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure concerns or those not interested in aging-related research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how exposure to phthalates like DEHP and DiNP in adulthood may trigger inflammatory changes in the brain and reproductive organs that are linked to earlier menopause. The study builds on animal data and aims to uncover the mechanisms behind reproductive aging, including the role of inflammation and specific receptors. Results could help explain why some women experience early aging of the reproductive system and point toward strategies to reduce risk. The work is conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a team led by Jodi A. Flaws.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this link could lead to interventions that delay reproductive aging and improve women’s health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed inflammatory pathways linked to reproductive aging; the human relevance is being explored in this grant.
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.
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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.