Seminar SERIES

 

  

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | Zoom 3:30 p.m. 

Anne Marie Jukic, PhD 

Epidemiology Branch
Fertility and Reproductive Health Group
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC

“Vitamin D and reproduction: from observation to implementation.”

Menstrual cycles are an indicator of general health and menstrual cycle disturbances may predict difficulties in conceiving a pregnancy. Moreover, women with menstrual cycle irregularities may be treated with hormonal contraception, and there are currently no alternatives for women who desire non-hormonal options to regulate their cycles. Vitamin D is known for its role in bone health, but its role in reproduction is a flourishing area of research. Low levels of vitamin D are common in the U.S., especially among African-American and Hispanic women. Dr. Jukic recently received a Bench-to-Bedside award to support a clinical trial that further investigates the role of vitamin D in menstrual cycles and menstrual cycle hormones. She is also collaborating on an NIEHS Internal Opportunity Award to investigate the biological pathways that are altered by vitamin D deficiency and repletion in a mouse model.