Seminar: "Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Particulate Matter on Female Reproduction" - Kuhelika Mali

Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences Seminar

Kuhelika Mali
PhD Student
Graduate Program in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, Rutgers

Wildfire smoke particulate matter (WFPM), particularly the ultrafine particles (WFPM0.1), are enriched in endocrine-disrupting chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and can be more toxic than ambient PM. While the respiratory and cardiovascular defects are well studied, the impacts of WFPM0.1 on female reproductive health are largely unknown. Our preliminary data show WFPM0.1 promotes ovarian hyperandrogenism through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling. However, it remains unclear how WFPM0.1-induced AhR modulates steroidogenesis at the transcriptional level to cause androgen excess, and whether these effects can be transmitted across generations. The goal of this work is to explore the mechanisms of WFPM0.1-driven ovarian dysfunctions and determine the potential intergenerational effects following gestational exposure.