Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Nearly 50 million couples experience some form of infertility worldwide. Several factors increase a woman’s risk for infertility including aging, stress, and exposure to chemicals. A group of chemicals collectively known as phthalates have been classified as endocrine disruptors based on their ability to interact with the reproductive system. Phthalates have been detected in human urine, animal tissues, and feed. Despite these observations, how phthalates interact with the female reproductive system and what this means for overall fertility is currently unknown. Dr. Craig's work focuses on understanding how phthalates affect the function of the ovary, the major reproductive organ in females. Thus, work in her laboratory is focused on using animal models to help us understand the mechanisms by which phthalates exert their effects on the ovary, determine whether phthalates cause female infertility, and examine whether the effects of phthalates on female reproduction can be prevented or reversed. Using this knowledge she hopes to inspire and guide future work aimed at reducing, preventing, and/or reversing chemical-related infertility in humans and animals. Keywords: Infertility, Toxicology, Endocrine Disruptors, Phthalates, Reproduction