Phthalate byproduct affects multiple cell types in human ovarian tissue, lab tests show
Common chemicals called phthalates, which are used in plastics, cosmetics and personal care products, may affect several different cell types in the human ovary. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal eBioMedicine.
Phthalates, commonly found in plastics and personal care products, can impact various cell types within the human ovary, according to a new study conducted at Karolinska Institutet. Researchers analyzed tissue samples from seven individuals exposed to two concentrations of MEHP, the primary breakdown product of the phthalate DEHP.
The lower concentration represents levels typically encountered by women in the general population. Utilizing single-cell sequencing, the study examined over 12,000 individual cells, revealing that phthalates affect more cell types in the ovary than previously thought, focusing primarily on egg cells and follicles. The most surprising discovery was the heightened sensitivity of cells from the ovary's nervous system to phthalate exposure.
While the detailed single-cell analysis was performed on tissue from a single donor, the findings were corroborated using additional tissue samples and cultured-cell experiments. This research, published in eBioMedicine, highlights that only one of several DEHP breakdown products was tested in this study.
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