Phthalates and early reproductive aging in women
Phthalate Exposure and Female Reproductive Aging
This project looks at whether exposure to common phthalates speeds up reproductive aging in adult women.
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 ID | NIH-11231261 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory experiments and mouse models to study how two common phthalates (DEHP and DiNP) affect the female reproductive system. They will examine inflammation pathways, immune cells like macrophages, and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in tissues such as the ovary and hypothalamus to trace how chemical exposure might lead to earlier reproductive aging. The team will combine published data, new animal studies, and molecular analyses to map the steps from exposure to changes in reproductive function. Although the work is lab-based, the goal is to identify mechanisms that could explain early menopause in women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The research is lab and animal-based and does not appear to enroll participants, though its findings are most relevant to adult women concerned about early menopause or high phthalate exposure.
Not a fit: Men and people without concerns about female reproductive aging are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this grant's laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how everyday plastic chemicals contribute to earlier menopause and suggest targets to prevent or treat early reproductive aging.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and laboratory studies have linked phthalates and inflammatory processes to markers of reproductive aging, but human translation and clinical prevention strategies remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- 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.
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 below.