LE-REP: Interdisciplinary Leipzig Reproductive Health Research Center (BMBF)
Cooperation project between University Medicine Leipzig and the Department of Environmental Immunology.
The overall aim of the project is to establish the LE-REP network, which will provide long-term support for the scientific careers of young researchers, the clinical training of reproductive physicians and the support and education of people who are involuntarily childless.
The LE-REP network aims to investigate the factors that influence the reproductive health within the human population. To this end, our research focus within LE-REP is primarily on endocrine environmental factors as well as immunological, metabolic, coagulation, genetic and psychological-social factors. The aim is also to develop potential interventions to reduce the burden of endocrine environmental factors in patients with miscarriages.
The focus of the work package planned in our working group (Fig. 1) is on research into the role of endocrine disruptors (EDCs) in miscarriages after assisted reproductive technology (ART). To this end, the concentration of EDCs is measured in maternal blood and urine samples and their relationship with inflammation of the endometrium and other diseases is investigated. EDC concentrations are also determined in ART pregnancies without complications and correlated with child development. EDC concentrations from maternal samples are correlated with those from the placenta and umbilical cord blood in order to determine the prenatal exposure of the child to EDCs. Defined questionnaires on the lifestyle habits of couples wishing to have children provide information on the exposure to EDCs in everyday life.
Fig. 1: Overview of our experimental approach.
The interdisciplinary project is being carried out in close cooperation with University Medicine Leipzig. The institutions involved are:
- Department of Gynaecology with the Division of Obstetrics
- Department of Pediatrics with LIFE Child
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy with the Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology
- Department of Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology
- Institute for Social Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Public Health
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology
- Institute of Human Genetics
UFZ scientists involved:
Prof. Ana C. Zenclussen
Dr. Anne Schumacher
Dr. Tobias Kretschmer
Dr. Rita Grabowska
