Impact of Paraben on Uterine Collagen: An Integrated and Targeted Correlative Approach Using Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy, Nanoindentation, and Atomic Force Microscopy.

This study investigates the structural and mechanical changes in uterine collagen following exposure to propylparaben (PP), using a combined methodology of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy, Nanoindentation (NI), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). SHG analysis identified significant disorganization in collagen fibril orientation in the circumferential layer and heterogeneous distribution of regions with elevated forward to backward ratios (F/B) across all uterine layers due to PP exposure. High F/B can indicate multiple potential fibril-level changes like thickened fibrils, higher crosslinking, fibril disorganization - changes not fully decipherable by SHG alone.

Parabens effects on female reproductive health - Review of evidence from epidemiological and rodent-based studies.

Parabens have been used as antimicrobial preservatives since the 1920s. The prevalent use of parabens increases their detection in the environment and in women's biological samples including reproductive tissues. Recent studies suggest parabens may alter endocrine function and thus female reproductive health may be affected.

Early-Life Exposure to Environmental Contaminants Perturbs the Sperm Epigenome and Induces Negative Pregnancy Outcomes for Three Generations via the Paternal Lineage.

Due to the grasshopper effect, the Arctic food chain in Canada is contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of industrial origin, including polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides. Exposure to POPs may be a contributor to the greater incidence of poor fetal growth, placental abnormalities, stillbirths, congenital defects and shortened lifespan in the Inuit population compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians. Although maternal exposure to POPs is well established to harm pregnancy outcomes, paternal transmission of the effects of POPs is a possibility that has not been well investigated.

Paraben exposure alters cell cycle progression and survival of spontaneously immortalized secretory murine oviductal epithelial (MOE) cells.

The mammalian oviduct is a central organ for female reproduction as it is the site of fertilization and it actively transports the embryo to the uterus. The oviduct is responsive to ovarian steroids and thus, it is a potential target of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Parabens are antimicrobial compounds that are prevalently found in daily-used products.

Potential Role of Lycopene in the Prevention of Postmenopausal Bone Loss: Evidence from Molecular to Clinical Studies.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density, which affects the quality of life of the aging population. Furthermore, disruption of bone microarchitecture and the alteration of non-collagenous protein in bones lead to higher fracture risk. This is most common in postmenopausal women.

Propylparaben inhibits mouse cultured antral follicle growth, alters steroidogenesis, and upregulates levels of cell-cycle and apoptosis regulators.

Propylparaben is prevalently used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods; yet, its direct effects on the mammalian ovary are unknown. We investigated the direct effects of propylparaben on the growth and steroidogenic function of mouse antral follicles. Antral follicles were isolated from the ovaries of Swiss mice (age: 32-42 days) and cultured in media with dimethylsulfoxide vehicle control or propylparaben (0.

Pretty Good or Pretty Bad? The Ovary and Chemicals in Personal Care Products.

Personal care products (PCP) contain a myriad of chemicals generally formulated to provide a safe and beneficial use. Nonetheless, an increasing amount of laboratory animal and human studies indicate that some chemicals in PCP are associated with decreased hormone production, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian cancer, and early pregnancy loss. The ovary is key to female fertility by providing the eggs and sex steroid hormones for fertilization and maintenance of reproductive function, respectively.

The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on ovarian follicle numbers and steroidogenesis in the F1 and F2 generations of mice.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used plasticizer. Previous studies show that in utero exposure to BPA affects reproductive outcomes in the F1-F3 generations of mice. However, its multigenerational effects on ovarian histology and steroidogenesis over the reproductive lifespan are unknown.

The Midlife Women's Health Study - a study protocol of a longitudinal prospective study on predictors of menopausal hot flashes.

Background: The Midlife Women's Health Study (MWHS) was developed to address some of the gaps in knowledge regarding risk factors for hot flashes among generally healthy midlife women during their menopausal transition. This manuscript describes the methods from the study and the main findings that were published to date, with a focus on predictors of hot flashes. This study was initially funded to test the hypothesis that obesity is associated with an increased risk of hot flashes through mechanisms that involve ovarian failure, altered sex steroid hormone levels, and selected genetic polymorphisms.

Bisphenol A Exposure, Ovarian Follicle Numbers, and Female Sex Steroid Hormone Levels: Results From a CLARITY-BPA Study.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical found in thermal receipts and food and beverage containers. Previous studies have shown that BPA can affect the numbers and health of ovarian follicles and the production of sex steroid hormones, but they often did not include a wide range of doses of BPA, used a small sample size, focused on relatively short-term exposures to BPA, and/or did not examine the consequences of chronic BPA exposure on the ovaries or steroid levels. Thus, this study was designed to examine the effects of a wide range of doses of BPA on ovarian morphology and sex steroid hormone production.

Evidence for bisphenol A-induced female infertility: a review (2007-2016).

We summarized the scientific literature published from 2007 to 2016 on the potential effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on female fertility. We focused on overall fertility outcomes (e.g.

Phthalate metabolite levels and menopausal hot flashes in midlife women.

During the menopausal transition, a woman's reproductive capacity declines, her hormone milieu changes, and her risk of hot flashes increases. Exposure to phthalates, which can be found in personal care products, can also result in altered reproductive function. Here, we investigated the associations between phthalate metabolite levels and midlife hot flashes.

The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on the ovaries in multiple generations of mice.

Bisphenol A is used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Previous studies show that in utero BPA exposure inhibits germ cell nest breakdown in the F1 generation of mice, but its effects on germ cell nest breakdown and on the ovary in the F2-F3 generations were unknown. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that BPA has transgenerational effects on the ovary.

The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on reproductive capacity in several generations of mice.

In utero bisphenol A (BPA) exposure affects reproductive function in the first generation (F1) of mice; however, not many studies have examined the reproductive effects of BPA exposure on subsequent generations. In this study, pregnant mice (F0) were orally dosed with vehicle, BPA (0.5, 20, and 50 μg/kg/day) or diethylstilbestrol (DES; 0.

A potentially functional variant in the serotonin transporter gene is associated with premenopausal and perimenopausal hot flashes.

Objective: An increase in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and/or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to relieve menopausal hot flashes (HFs) has been observed recently. However, response to them has been heterogeneous. We hypothesized that this heterogeneity might be partially attributed to genetic variations in genes encoding the serotonin and/or norepinephrine transporters (SLC6A4 and SLC6A2).

Bisphenol A inhibits cultured mouse ovarian follicle growth partially via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that inhibits growth of mouse ovarian follicles and disrupts steroidogenesis at a dose of 438μM. However, the effects of lower doses of BPA and its mechanism of action in ovarian follicles are unknown. We hypothesized that low doses of BPA inhibit follicular growth and decrease estradiol levels through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway.

Genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-signaling pathway and sleep disturbances in middle-aged women.

Objective: We aimed to determine if selected genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-signaling pathway and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) are associated with insomnia and early awakening in middle-aged women.

Methods: Women aged 45 to 54years (n=639) were recruited into a middle-aged health study and agreed to complete questionnaires and donate blood samples. Questionnaires were used to assess sleep outcomes.

Di-n-butyl phthalate disrupts the expression of genes involved in cell cycle and apoptotic pathways in mouse ovarian antral follicles.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is present in many consumer products, such as infant, beauty, and medical products. Several studies have shown that DBP causes reproductive toxicity in rodents, but no studies have evaluated its effects on ovarian follicles. Therefore, we used a follicle culture system to evaluate the effects of DBP on antral follicle growth, cell cycle and apoptosis gene expression, cell cycle staging, atresia, and 17β-estradiol (E(2)) production.

Genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway as potential risk factors of menopausal hot flashes.

Objective: We sought to determine if genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway are associated with menopausal hot flashes via hormone levels.

Study Design: Women (n = 639) aged 45-54 years completed a study survey and provided blood for genetic and hormone analyses. The associations were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models.

A genetic polymorphism in the CYP19A1 gene and the risk of hypertension among midlife women.

Objective: To test whether a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (A→G; rs700518) in the CYP19A1 gene, which encodes the enzyme aromatase, is associated with an increased risk for hypertension of midlife women.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 639 midlife women were recruited. Eligible women had their blood pressure, weight and height measured, and donated a blood sample for hormone and genetic analyses.

Factors that may influence the experience of hot flushes by healthy middle-aged women.

Background: Interest in menopausal symptoms in general and hot flushes (HFs) in particular has grown in recent years. This is mostly due to increased awareness and the vast impact these symptoms have on women's lives. Despite the high prevalence of women who experience HFs, a definitive etiology for HFs is yet to be found.