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Probing the direct effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the vaginal microenvironment

Award Number: R21ES037883
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/10/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/09/2028

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Probing the direct effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the vaginal microenvironment - Project Summary/Abstract The vaginal microenvironment is a complex and dynamic system that regulates female reproductive health through interactions between microbes, mammalian cells, and mucus. Changes to any one of these axes may lead to increased inflammation in the female reproductive tract and an increased susceptibility for vaginal dysbiosis. In an optimal microenvironment, bacteria in the vagina produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, maintaining a dominance of lactobacilli. In dysbiosis, there is a polymicrobial microbiome, with species that degrade mucus and epithelial barriers, leading to inflammation, and facilitating infection. Fluctuations in the composition and function of vaginal flora across the reproductive stages of a woman’s life are normal and are primarily driven by changes in estrogen. A non-optimal, polymicrobial microbiome is found in approximately 30% of women in the United States, and contributes to reproductive diseases including preterm birth, infertility, and risk for sexually transmitted infections. However the factors and mechanisms that promote a dysbiotic vaginal environment remain unclear. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormone action in the body and represent an under-investigated potential risk factor for dysbiosis. Exposure to phthalates, EDCs that have been shown to interfere with estrogen signaling, is of significant concern for women’s reproductive health due to frequent exposure and associations with adverse reproductive outcomes. Phthalates are commonly found in feminine hygiene products such as pads, panty liners, tampons, and vaginal douches, sprays, powders, and wipes. To date, only one study has investigated associations between systemic phthalate exposure and composition of the vaginal microbiome, showing that some phthalates are associated with dysbiosis. The effects of phthalates on the viability and function of microbes, mammalian cells, and mucus in the vaginal environment remain unknown. Here, we propose to evaluate the how direct phthalate exposure impacts (1) microbial viability and function; (2) mammalian cell viability and function; and (3) mucosal barrier properties. Our proposed Aims will test the hypothesis that phthalates disrupt the vaginal microenvironment and contribute to disparate adverse reproductive health outcomes associated with dysbiosis. Completion of this work will provide a foundation and preliminary data to motivate the study of local phthalate exposures in at-risk populations with additional gynecologic indications. By understanding how the vaginal environment is directly affected by phthalate exposures, we will identify opportunities for intervention to promote healthy female reproductive outcomes.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $426,346 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK	3112 LEE BUILDING	COLLEGE PARK	MD	20742	PRINCE GEORGES	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	5/8/2026	NEW	$426,346
														Subtotal = $426,346

Grand Total All Awards = $426,346

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Probing the direct effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the vaginal microenvironment

Award Number: R21ES037883

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/10/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/09/2028

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