Environmental Causes of Infertility | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/crb/studies/closed-studies/infertility
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Environmental Causes of Infertility | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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Environmental Causes of Infertility
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Study Background
This study is no longer accepting participants.
To find studies that are currently recruiting, please visit the
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ClinicalTrials.gov
NIH Clinical Studies
This study will use menstrual fluid as a source of endometrial cells for deriving primary cultures of stromal cells and epithelial cell organoids. Use of menstrual fluid samples will provide a non-invasive source of endometrial cells, as opposed to uterine biopsies, which require women to undergo clinical procedures. Recently, the use of cells isolated from human menstrual samples has served as an effective means of collecting endometrial stroma and epithelial cell for research.
We will use cultured primary endometrial cells to:
Quantify PFAS in menstrual fluid and in circulation.
Classify samples as high or low PFAS, treat organoids with hormones or induce decidualization in stromal cells, and analyze response.
Stimulate blood with a pathogen-associated molecular pattern and quantify immune response.
Principal Investigator
Lawrence S. Kirschner, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Clinician;
Medical Director, NIEHS Clinical Research Unit
Tel 984-287-3562
[email protected]
Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D.
Chief, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory and Principal Investigator
Tel 984-287-3987
[email protected]
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Last Reviewed: February 03, 2026
Skip Navigation
Environmental Causes of Infertility
Close the left navigation
Add
Study Background
This study is no longer accepting participants.
To find studies that are currently recruiting, please visit the
Join an
NIEHS Study
website
For More Information
ClinicalTrials.gov
NIH Clinical Studies
This study will use menstrual fluid as a source of endometrial cells for deriving primary cultures of stromal cells and epithelial cell organoids. Use of menstrual fluid samples will provide a non-invasive source of endometrial cells, as opposed to uterine biopsies, which require women to undergo clinical procedures. Recently, the use of cells isolated from human menstrual samples has served as an effective means of collecting endometrial stroma and epithelial cell for research.
We will use cultured primary endometrial cells to:
Quantify PFAS in menstrual fluid and in circulation.
Classify samples as high or low PFAS, treat organoids with hormones or induce decidualization in stromal cells, and analyze response.
Stimulate blood with a pathogen-associated molecular pattern and quantify immune response.
Principal Investigator
Lawrence S. Kirschner, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Clinician;
Medical Director, NIEHS Clinical Research Unit
Tel 984-287-3562
[email protected]
Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D.
Chief, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory and Principal Investigator
Tel 984-287-3987
[email protected]
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: February 03, 2026