Grant: Fellowship: Bisby (Prize)

Environmental chemicals can be detected in every corner of the planet and in almost all forms of life. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a specific class of chemicals that influence and disrupt the body's hormonal system. Common daily contact to EDCs such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), parabens, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, and pesticides occurs through exposure to everyday household items, personal hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, children's toys, water, food, and food packaging. These chemicals can cause harm by mimicking or interfering with our natural hormones, such as estrogens and androgens. The effect of these chemicals on human reproduction and development is not completely understood. This study aims to examine mixtures of EDCs in both male and female patients from the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center in Boston to determine whether they are associated with a higher risk of male and female infertility, in-vitro fertilization/implantation failures, miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and abnormal sexual development of infants. This study addresses an important gap in the literature on whether exposure to chemical mixtures in men and women adversely affects fertility, pregnancy and infant development. Understanding the consequence of exposure to EDCs during critical periods of development in reproduction has implications for the protection of population health.