Serum biomarkers of ovarian toxicity: A genomics approach to determine if priority food contaminants alter ovarian health

Funding period: 2019-2024
Lead: Anne-Marie Gannon
Total GRDI funding: $790,000

Exposure to environmental toxicants, particularly endocrine disrupting chemicals  negatively affects fertility, endocrine signalling and ovarian function. These chemicals vary in their mode of toxicant-induced infertility and can disrupt signalling, increase follicle atresia or alter endocrine pathways in exposed individuals or their offspring. Irrespective of their mechanism of action, their impact on ovarian function is often not detected until there is significant damage and fertility is adversely affected. In this project, scientists aim to develop an alternative and sensitive serum microRNA biomarker panel to better detect early stages of ovarian toxicity without the use of traditionally relied-upon invasive methods.

The goal is to address gaps in knowledge that would allow the characterization of fertility hazards related to natural toxins, food packaging materials, additives and contaminants.