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Exposed To Phthalates as Fetuses, Female Mice Have Altered Reproductive Lives

By Guest PostMarch 20, 2012Sciencebenjamin moyer, brown university, cell growth, chemical, concern list, corn oil, david orenstein, dehp, doses of phthalates, exposure scenario, female mouse fetuses, health effect, in utero, industrial chemical, mammary glands, mary hixon, mehp, mice, organism, Phthalates, plastics, precancerous lesions, reproductive lifespan, reproductive system, toxicology

Many environmental and public health officials are concerned about the potential health effects of phthalates, which are common chemicals used to make plastics softer and more pliable. In the first study to examine what effect in utero doses of phthalates have on the reproductive system of mice, Brown University toxicologists found that extremely high doses were associated with significant changes, such as a shortened reproductive lifespan and abnormal cell growth in mammary glands.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Female mouse fetuses exposed to very high doses of a common industrial chemical that makes plastics more pliable develop significant reproductive alterations and precancerous lesions as they grow up, according to a new toxicology study conducted at Brown University.

The administered doses of MEHP, the chemical that results when animals metabolize the industrial phthalate DEHP, were much higher than any normal environmental exposure that people or animals would encounter, said Mary Hixon, assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine (research) in The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a study co-author. (more…)

Gene Research Sheds Light on Timing of Menopause

By Guest PostJanuary 23, 2012Healthanna murray, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, damage, early menopause, genes, genetic studies, genome, heart disease, hormonal change, hormonal regulation, immune system, joanne murabito, john perry, kathryn lunetta, menopause, menopause onset, oestrogen exposure, post menopausal women, pre menopausal, repair, reproductive disorders, reproductive lifespan, timing of menopause, university of exeter, university of oxford

An international team of researchers has discovered 13 new regions of the genome associated with the timing of menopause.

These genes shed light on the biological pathways involved in reproductive lifespan and will provide insights into conditions connected to menopause, such as breast cancer and heart disease.

Menopause is a major hormonal change that affects most women when they are in their early 50s. The timing of menopause can have a huge impact on fertility, as well as influencing the risk of a range of common diseases such as breast cancer. It has been known for some time that genetic factors influenced the onset of menopause, however until recently very few genes had been identified.

In the new study, published in the journal Nature Genetics on 22 January 2012, Dr Anna Murray, University of Exeter, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD) Dr John Perry, PCMD and WTCHG, University of Oxford, and dozens of international collaborators, examined the genomes of over 50,000 women. They identified 13 novel gene regions associated with menopause onset, and confirmed four previously identified. Most of the 17 regions include genes related to DNA damage/repair or the immune system, whilst others are linked to hormonal regulation. (more…)

Larger Female Hyenas Produce More Offspring

By Guest PostMarch 24, 2011Natureanimal body size, female hyenas, larger female hyenas, reproductive lifespan, reproductive success, spotted hyenas

EAST LANSING, Mich. — When it comes to producing more offspring, larger female hyenas outdo their smaller counterparts. (more…)

Tag Archives: reproductive lifespan

Exposed To Phthalates as Fetuses, Female Mice Have Altered Reproductive Lives

Gene Research Sheds Light on Timing of Menopause

Larger Female Hyenas Produce More Offspring