Identifying female reproductive toxicants in the (expos)omic era

Humans are exposed to a growing list of synthetic chemicals that can interact with biological systems and thus, being involved in pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Nevertheless, identifying causal associations between chemicals and human health remains very challenging especially in observational research due to the multiplicity of chemical exposures or the presence of mixture and non-linear effects, long-term effects due to early and lifespan exposure, among other issues. Technological advances in mass-spectrometry have favored the development of novel strategies for chemical exposure assessment, but also, for the characterization of endogenous compounds with the potential of informing biological mechanisms linking with diseases (e.g. effect biomarkers). In addition, statistical methods have substantially evolved during the last decade to accommodate large number of biomarkers and complex causal structures. These advances have contributed to shape the “exposome” concept and its operationalization in different domains of environmental health research. In this seminar the novel methodological opportunities will discussed and illustrated in the light of potential applications to fill longstanding gaps arising the role of environmental chemicals in the etiology of female reproductive disorders through the lifespan.