National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Advances in Women’s Health for the NIH Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01 ES014675-01A1

Gender Effects on PCB-Induced Dopamine Neurotoxicity

Health Research Inc.

Richard F. Seegal

The proposed experiments will provide information on the effects of PCB exposure on various neurological functions in women, a population that has been largely ignored in neurotoxicological studies, and will determine the consequences and mechanisms by which ovarian hormones, including their withdrawal, influence PCB- induced changes in brain function, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. These experiments will set the stage for further study of the role of gender and ovarian hormones that may modify the toxicity of other environmental exposures.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01 ES015292-01

Nongenomic Signaling Mechanisms of Environmental Estrogens

University of Texas

Cheryl S. Watson

The researchers of this study will explore how environmental estrogens disrupt normal signaling mechanisms and reproductive functions so that new prevention and treatment strategies can be designed. The long-term objectives of this grant are to elucidate adverse low-dose effects as well as the extent and mechanisms by which environmental estrogens contribute to diseases (eg. breast and pituitary cancers, infertility) so that exposures can be limited to safe levels.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R21ES014422-01

Dissecting A Novel Role Of Dioxin In Breast Cancer Susceptibility

Washington State University

Beth A. Vorderstrasse

The goals of this research project are to determine whether, via disruption of cellular programming that occurs during pregnancy, exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increases susceptibility to breast cancer, and to further characterize the effects of TCDD on mammary epithelial cells.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES014482-01

Des And The Regulation Of The Uterine Cyto-Differentiation

Washington University

Liang Ma

The aim of this grant is to dissect the genetic pathways affected by DES during female reproductive tract development.  The long term goal is to use animal models to study reproductive tract development and how exogenous factors can influence this process.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R43ES014495-01

Managing Environmental Risks In Pregnancy

Vida Health Communications, Inc.

Lisa A. Mcelaney

This study will produce, evaluate and distribute a multimedia package called "Managing Environmental Risks in Pregnancy." The multimedia package will provide instruction about the health advantages of screening, assessing and mitigating potential exposure to known and suspected environmental toxicants that pose a risk to the developing fetus. 

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

K23ES014691-01

Role Of Environmental Chemicals On Lactation Outcomes

Children's Hospital Med Ctr (Cincinnati)

Sheela Geraghty

The long range goal of this project is to examine the potential for environmental chemical contamination of breast milk to contribute to shortened lactation duration. The objectives of this proposal are to 1) determine potential factors that may impact concentrations of estrogenic chemicals in breast milk, 2) characterize the changes in chemical concentration of estrogenic chemicals in breast milk over the course of lactation, and 3) establish if cumulative concentrations of these chemicals in breast milk are associated with shortened lactation duration.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES014716-01

Ambient Air Pollution, Preeclampsia/Preterm Delivery

Swedish Health Services

Carole L. Butler

As one of the first studies of its kind, this grant is exploring the relationship of air pollutant exposures to preeclampsia and preterm delivery as significant causes of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.  Recent studies suggest that elevated air pollutant exposures may lead to preterm delivery yet there are no prior studies that directly examine air pollutant exposure in relation to preeclampsia. 

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES014942-01

Dioxin Exposure And The Invasive Pathogenesis Of Endometriosis

Vanderbilt University

Kevin G. Osteen

The extent to which exposure to TCDD in human populations affects endometrial function related to a woman's risk for developing endometriosis remains unknown. To address this issue, this study will use established cell culture models and an animal disease model to explore the role of TCDD as a progesterone disrupter in the human endometrium.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R13ES015475-01

Breast Milk: Physiology, Biochemistry And Outcomes

Children's Hospital Med Ctr (Cincinnati)

Ardythe L. Morrow

The 2006 Conference of the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation is the only meeting of its kind in which academic, industry, and public health scientists engaged in human milk research meet to exchange research ideas, share advancements in the field, and plan new research endeavors in a constructive, scientifically focused environment.

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES013527-02

Meiotic Studies Of Chemicals With Estrogenic Activity

Washington State University

Patricia A. Hunt

The researchers of this grant are exploring how, when, and at what level of exposure bisphenol A (BPA) acts to disrupt reproductive outcomes. In addition, the researchers will determine whether other estrogenic compounds (e.g., estradiol, diethylstilbesterol) elicit similar effects and thereby elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms of BPA action.  The results will provide important insight concerning the potential effects of BPA exposure in humans and will assess certain reproductive effects of chemical exposures. 

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES013160-03

Breast Cancer Genomics In A Founder Population           

University Of Washington

Mary-Claire King

The goal of this project is to identify additional genes for inherited predisposition to breast cancer by studying families and patients of Ashkenazi Jewish (A J) ancestry. Several groups of people will be evaluated: AJ families with high incidence of breast cancer, unselected AJ breast cancer patients, AJ control families, and AJ population controls. 

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES012014-05

Mi Pbb Cohort 30 Years Later: Endocrine Disruption?

Emory University

Michele  Marcus

This targeted research project is based upon a completed survey of over 4000 people who were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs).  The children of PBB exposed women will be assessed for various hormonal and reproductive effects.  The goals of this study are to provide further insight into possible impacts of PBB’s on childhood development, reproductive health and ovarian function. 

Project Number

Title

Institution

Principal Investigator

R01ES008977-09

Environmental Health In Minority Women /Infants

Columbia University Health Sciences

Frederica P. Perera

The primary aims of this study are: 1) to quantify the impact of exposures during pregnancy to indoor and outdoor air pollutants on fetal and child growth and neurobehavioral development through 5 years of age; 2) to assess the degree to which maternal exposure to air pollutants and home allergens contribute to risk of childhood asthma from birth through five years of age; and 3) to elucidate associations between early environmental exposures to disease.