How synthetic chemicals affect reproductive health in humans and animals

Could you provide a brief overview of your project – what are the main objectives and expected outcomes?

"There are hundreds of thousands synthetic chemicals in the world today. From household products to industrial processes, these chemicals touch nearly every aspect of our daily lives. But not all interactions are benign. My research focuses on understanding how animals and humans are exposed to these synthetic chemicals and the potential negative health effects of these synthetic chemicals, with a particular emphasis on reproductive health. By adopting innovative, sustainable research practices, my work aims to protect both human and animal health while supporting a more sustainable future.

My research focus is to identify and evaluate how manufactured chemicals affect reproductive health in humans and animals. Reproductive health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being but is influenced by environmental exposures, which has been shown in both humans and animals. While traditional experimental methods often rely on animal testing, my research employs non-experimental models to investigate these health outcomes. Specifically, I use in vitro production of embryos (IVP) with bovine as a model for human and studies using domestic animals to understand exposure and health outcomes. Using pets, we can measure exposure to chemicals by sampling blood or urine and relate this exposure to alterations in biomarkers detected in blood or changes in tissues collected from routine surgeries (such as castrations or spaying). In the laboratory model, we can add specific compounds or mixtures to egg cells and study how chemical exposure can alter the very first developmental steps, the early embryo development. The egg cells are collected from the slaughterhouse thereby avoiding the use of experimental animals.

Ultimately, the insights gained can guide regulatory policies, inform public health strategies, and empower individuals to make safer choices in their daily lives."

How does the research relate to the One Health concept?

"The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This holistic approach is central, as manufactured chemicals released into the environment effect humans and animals alike. For instance, humans and pets share the same living spaces, where exposure to chemicals like flame retardants, cleaning agents, or pesticides can occur. Food and feed are also important exposure pathways and I study how chemicals are transported in the food-feed chain. Understanding these pathways helps us pinpoint common sources of harm.

Biological processed in animals and humans are substantially conserved between species, which means that we suffer the same range of diseases and it is not surprising that similar health effects related to chemical exposure can be observed in different species."

What do you consider the key challenges and opportunities in your research area to promote health and contribute to a more sustainable world?

"Today, there are significant knowledge-gaps in understanding possible health effects of the vast majority of synthetic chemicals in the environment, specifically regarding effects of mixtures and subtle health effects observed long time after exposure. Most toxicity data are collected from experimental animals like rodents or rabbits, which means possible differences in sensitivity between species, may be overlooked. There are also very scarce data on health effects related to exposure in other species. By using alternative testing methods, we increase the knowledge of chemical toxicity in other species that in many aspects are more similar to humans compare to rodents while developing non-experimental animal models, reducing reliance on traditional animal testing and advancing ethical research practices.

My research aims to bridge gaps between disciplines, fostering collaboration among toxicologists, veterinarians, environmental scientists, and public health experts. By embracing the One Health framework, my work not only seeks to mitigate health risks but also promotes a healthier coexistence between humans and animals in shared ecosystems."