Abstract
Currently available test methods are not well-suited for the identification of chemicals that disturb hormonal processes involved in female reproductive development and function. This renders womenâs reproductive health at increasing risk globally, which, coupled with increasing incidence rates of reproductive disorders, is of great concern. A womanâs reproductive health is largely established during embryonic and fetal development and subsequently matures during puberty. The endocrine system influences development, maturation, and function of the female reproductive system, thereby making appropriate hormone levels imperative for correct functioning of reproductive processes. It is concerning that the effects of human-made chemicals on the endocrine system and female reproductive health are poorly addressed in regulatory chemical safety assessment, partly because adequate test methods are lacking. Our EU-funded project FREIA aims to address this need by increasing understanding of how endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can impact female reproductive health. We will use this information to provide better test methods that enable fit-for-purpose chemical regulation and then share our knowledge, promote a sustainable society, and improve the reproductive health of women globally.
Highlights
The number of women with reproductive health problems is increasing globally and scientific knowledge clearly points towards exposure to human-made chemicals being a contributing factor
It is concerning that the effects of human-made chemicals on the endocrine system and female reproductive health are poorly addressed in regulatory chemical safety assessment, partly because adequate test methods are lacking
The FREIA consortium consists of 11 partners with outstanding scientific and regulatory expertise on endocrine disruption in relation to womenâs reproductive health, early life development, epidemiology, endocrinology, and toxicology
Summary
The number of women with reproductive health problems is increasing globally and scientific knowledge clearly points towards exposure to human-made chemicals being a contributing factor. The development of internationally recognised test methods has not kept up with the increasing scientific knowledge base This means that women, and society more broadly, are not properly protected against potentially harmful chemicals that we encounter in our daily lives. Standardised test guidelines for in vivo toxicity testing mainly cover gross, observational endpoints These include ovarian morphology, primordial follicle counts, oestrous cyclicity, or indirect indices of female reproduction, such as pregnancy rate and pup survival. The available standardised in vitro and in silico bioassays within OECD GD150 focus mainly on effects related to (o)estrogen-androgen-thyroid-steroidogenesis (EATS) modalities These endpoints are too limited and do not take into full consideration the effects on the female reproductive system as a result of early life exposure to chemicalsâi.e., in the womb, during infancy and pubertyâwhen a female body is still under development.
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