Proceedings of the Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility: executive summary

Woodruff, Tracey J.; Carlson, Alison; Schwartz, Jackie M.; Giudice, Linda C.

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.01.065

Cited by 71 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 256 publications

(247 reference statements)

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“…Recent studies have shown that EDs are associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes in human, including infertility, implantation failure, and pregnancy loss [29,30]. bisphenol A (BPA; 4,4′-(propane-2,2-diyl)diphenol) and 4- tert -octylphenol (OP; 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) are common EDs and are reported to have weak estrogenic activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Bisphenol A and 4-tert-Octylphenol on Embryo Implantation Failure in Mouse

Tran

Jung

Ahn

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Miscarriage due to blastocyst implantation failure occurs in up to two-thirds of all human miscarriage cases. Calcium ion has been shown to be involved in many cellular signal transduction pathways as well as in the regulation of cell adhesion, which is necessary for the embryo implantation process. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDs) during early gestation results in disruption of intrauterine implantation and uterine reception, leading to implantation failure. In this study, ovarian estrogen (E2), bisphenol A (BPA), or 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), with or without ICI 182,780 (ICI) were injected subcutaneously from gestation day 1 to gestation day 3 post-coitus. The expression levels of the calcium transport genes were assessed in maternal uteri and implantation sites. The number of implantation sites was significantly low in the OP group, and implantation sites were absent in the E2, ICI and EDs + ICI groups. There were different calcium transient transport channel expression levels in uterus and implantation site samples. The levels of TRPV5 and TRPV6 gene expression were significantly increased by EDs with/without ICI treatment in utero. Meanwhile, TRPV5 and TRPV6 gene expression were significantly lower in implantation sites samples. NCX1 and PMCA1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased by OP and BPA in the implantation site samples. Compared to vehicle treatment in the uterus, both the MUC1 mRNA and protein levels were markedly high in all but the BPA group. Taken together, these results suggest that both BPA and OP can impair embryo implantation through alteration of calcium transport gene expressions and by affecting uterine receptivity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Bisphenol A and 4-tert-Octylphenol on Embryo Implantation Failure in Mouse

Tran

Jung

Ahn

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…Research has shown physicians see a myriad of issues in settings where variables are not always obvious (Jonassen, 2011). Moreover, environmentally-related fertility problems have become more prevalent within the field of medicine, and thus served as valid context for which to build the PBL activity (Woodruff, Carlson, Schwartz, & Giudice, 2008). This is why we felt justified in using a physician's role for the PBL activity.…”

Section: Context: How Is the Problem We Are Assigning Actually Valid/mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At this point, we focused on the following overarching problem: recent research is showing that individuals are having a harder time getting pregnant due to environmental toxins in their food source (Woodruff et al, 2008). As noted earlier, our main characters in the ill-structured problem were Andre and Anna, who had been unsuccessfully trying to conceive a child.…”

Section: Designing the Ill-structured Problem To Solvementioning

confidence: 99%

Designing a PBL Environment Using the 3C3R Method

Tawfik

Trueman

Lorz

2013

IJDL

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With the growing emphasis being placed upon situated learning theory, designs increasingly implement problem-based learning (PBL) in various educational contexts. However, some of the difficulties instructional designers face include interweaving elements such as breadth, depth, and situated knowledge in a contextualized learning task. This design case details how the 3C3R method was systematically employed to design a PBL learning environment that highlights the effects of environmental toxins on human fertility. We also discuss how a case library learning environment (CLLE) was implemented and designed to support the decision-making process. This design case examines the challenges involved, such as misunderstandings between the SMEs and instructional designer as we contextualized complex issues related to human biology. A discussion of how we designed for multiple solution paths is also included. Lastly, we discuss the challenges of interweaving the ill-structured problem with multiple narratives found in a case library.Andrew A. Tawfik is an assistant professor of Instructional Design and Technology at Concordia University Chicago where he serves as an instructor of educational technology. He earned his PhD in Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri. Tawfik's research interests include problembased learning, case-based reasoning, case library instructional design, and computersupported collaborative learning. Rebecca J. Trueman is an Assistant Professor of Biology atConcordia University Chicago where she teaches Biology for both non-science and science majors. Rebecca holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Biology. Recently, she has been developing educational technology to enhance the understanding of science. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation.Matthew M. Lorz is the Chief Technology Officer of Sustainable Environments LLC. Matt has spent many years involved with research that attempts to detangle anthropogenic effects on ecosystems. His background in the arts has assisted in the development of creative, interesting and accessible cases for case-based reasoning studies. ConteXtThis case details an instructional design project that aimed to redesign an undergraduate Biology module into a problem-based learning activity. The instructor (SME-instructor) wanted to enhance the application of critical thinking skills to the student's examination of the biological world around them. The SME-instructor commented that because her students were non-science majors, they might never have exposure to scientific concepts in an academically rigorous setting outside of her class. Furthermore, the SME-instructor found that students were unable to assimilate all of the varied scientific concepts and research that connected environmental pollutants with infertility in humans. The SME-instructor told the instructional designer that students would often fail to recognize how to apply their textbook readings during problem-solving activities in previous iterations of the ...

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“…Accumulating epidemiologic evidence has associated EDCs with adverse reproductive health outcomes in humans, including infertility, implantation failure, pregnancy loss, reduced clinical pregnancy rates, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and poorer child development (Gore et al 2015; Woodruff et al 2008). Studies have shown that the developing embryo and fetus are particularly sensitive to potential adverse effects of EDCs (Gore et al 2015; Wittassek et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrasound gel as an unrecognized source of exposure to phthalates and phenols among pregnant women undergoing routine scan

Messerlian

Mustieles

Wylie

et al. 2017

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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Background Systemic absorption of phthalates and parabens has been demonstrated after dermal application of body lotion, and medical devices such as intravenous bags and tubing have been identified as a source of exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). However, use of products during medical procedures such as aqueous gel applied during obstetrical ultrasound in pregnancy has not been investigated as a potential source of endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure. Human studies have associated EDCs with various adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is a need to identify sources of inadvertent exposure to EDCs especially during vulnerable developmental periods such as pregnancy. Objectives We conducted a pilot study to determine whether use of gel during routine obstetrical ultrasound increased urinary concentrations of phthalate and phenol biomarkers. Methods We recruited 13 women from the Massachusetts General Hospital who provided spot urine samples at the time of their second trimester anatomic survey. The first sample was collected prior to the procedure (pre-exposure, time 1), and two additional samples were obtained at approximately 1–2 hours (time 2) and 7–12 hours (time 3) post-exposure following the scan. Results Urinary concentrations of several DEHP metabolites and metabolite of diisononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) increased across time. For example, the geometric mean concentrations of mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate increased from 3.1 ng/ml to 7.1 ng/ml (p-value=0.03) between time 1 and time 3. We also observed significant differences in concentrations of metabolites of butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP). For example, mono-n-butyl phthalate (metabolite of DnBP) decreased from 3.5 ng/ml to 1.8 ng/ml (p-value=0.04) between time 1 and time 2, but then increased to 6.6 ng/ml (p-value=0.002) at time 3. Propylparaben concentrations increased from 8.9 ng/ml to 33.6 ng/ml between time 1 and time 2 (p-value=0.005), followed by a decrease to 12.9 ng/ml at time 3 (p-value=0.01). However, we cannot rule out the possibility that some of the observed differences are due to other sources of exposure to these compounds. Conclusions While additional research is needed, this pilot study potentially identifies a previously unknown source of phthalate and paraben exposure among pregnant women undergoing routine ultrasound examination.

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Proceedings of the Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility: executive summary

Cited by 71 publications

References 256 publications

Effects of Bisphenol A and 4-tert-Octylphenol on Embryo Implantation Failure in Mouse

Effects of Bisphenol A and 4-tert-Octylphenol on Embryo Implantation Failure in Mouse

Designing a PBL Environment Using the 3C3R Method

Ultrasound gel as an unrecognized source of exposure to phthalates and phenols among pregnant women undergoing routine scan

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