BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) accumulate in reproductive tissues, yet most studies rely on serum measurements. It remains unclear whether serum concentrations adequately reflect levels in target tissues. We evaluate…
Exposure to trace elements and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy is linked to adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes. High smoking rates in western Pennsylvania may influence exposure to these chemicals. W…
BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is widespread and has been linked with gynecologic disease. To our knowledge, no study has measured PFAS in endometrial tissue. METHODS: Eutopic endometrial tissue specimens (…
OBJECTIVE: Anogenital distance (AGD) is a postnatal marker of in utero exposure to androgens and anti-androgens, and a predictor of reproductive health. We examined the association between gestational exposure to phthalates and AGD in male …
Benzophenone ultraviolet light filters (BPs) are high-production-volume chemicals extensively used in personal care products, leading to widespread human exposure. Given their estrogenic properties, the potential health risks associated wit…
BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their mixtures may play an etiologic role. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated an adipose-to-serum ratio (ASR) of lipophilic EDCs and their mixtures…
Endometriosis is a hormone-responsive gynecologic disease, signifying its connotations across a woman's life span. Previous studies suggested that endocrine disrupting chemicals were risk factors for endometriosis. Nevertheless, little is k…
Exposure to diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), the most abundant plasticizer used in the production of polyvinyl-containing plastics, has been associated to adverse reproductive health outcomes in both males and females. While the effects of DE…
Phthalates (diesters of phthalic acid) are widely used as plasticizers and additives in many consumer products. Laboratory animal studies have reported the endocrine-disrupting and reproductive effects of phthalates, and human exposure to t…
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the associations of bisphenol A, chlorophenols, benzophenones, and parabens with reproductive hormone levels in women. Our goal was to evaluate the associations between repeated measures of these chemicals …
BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to synthetic chemicals such as bisphenols and phthalates can influence fecundability. The current study describes associations of first trimester urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (…
BACKGROUND: Human exposure to parabens and other antimicrobial chemicals is continual and pervasive. The hormone-disrupting properties of these environmental chemicals may adversely affect human reproduction. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to prospec…
The secondary sex ratio (SSR), defined as the ratio of males to females at birth, has been investigated in relation to endocrine disruptors to search for environmental toxicants perturbing human sex selection. Benzophenone (BP)-type ultravi…
Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent gynecologic disease with lasting implications for many women's fertility, somatic health, and overall quality of life. Growing evidence suggests that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be etiolo…
Published findings from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study regarding the relation between environmental chemicals and couple fecundity, as measured by time-to-pregnancy (TTP), are reviewed with a pa…
BACKGROUND: Phytoestrogens have been associated with subtle hormonal changes, but their effects on endometriosis are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association between urinary concentrations of phytoestrogens and incident endo…
Bisphenol A, benzophenone-type UV filters, and phthalates are chemicals in high production and use including in a range of personal care products. Exposure of humans to these chemicals has been shown to affect endocrine function. Although s…
OBJECTIVE: To assess benzophenone-type ultraviolet (UV) filter concentrations, chemicals used in sunscreen and personal care products, and semen endpoints. DESIGN: Cohort. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): A total of 413 men provided …
To evaluate the association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and uterine fibroids, we used previously collected data from a cohort of women aged 18-44 years undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy at 14 participating hospital surgi…
Concern has arisen about benzophenone (BP) ultraviolet (UV) radiation filters, given their use in sunscreen and personal-care products and their reported estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity. We recruited 501 couples who were discontinuin…
UNLABELLED: Endometriosis, ectopic growth of the uterine lining (endometrium), which affects 6-11% of reproductive age women, is associated with pelvic pain and infertility. We investigated the peritoneal fluid (PF), urine and omental fat (…
OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between bisphenol A and 14 phthalate metabolites and endometriosis. DESIGN: Matched cohort design. SETTING: Fourteen clinical centers. PATIENT(S): The operative cohort comprised 495 women undergoing lap…
BACKGROUND: Environmental chemicals may be associated with endometriosis. No published research has focused on the possible role of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) despite their widespread presence in human tissues. METHODS: We formulated two sa…
BACKGROUND: An equivocal literature exists regarding the relation between persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) and endometriosis in women, with differences attributed to methodologies. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the association between…