Professional Profile

Post-doctoral fellow, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

MBA, Ben-Gurion University

BS, Ben-Gurion University

https://vetmed.illinois.edu/ziv-gal-lab/

Female infertility affects millions of women of childbearing age. The main reasons for women’s infertility relate to ovarian impairment, fallopian tube dysfunction, and unexplained infertility. Recent studies have linked some chemical exposures with female infertility and premature reproductive aging. Yet, women are constantly exposed to various chemicals of which their effects on reproductive health are unknown.

My laboratory focuses on determining the effects of environmental exposures on the development and function of the ovary, the oviduct, and overall female reproductive health. We use a multi-level approach to elucidate the overall effects and potential molecular mechanisms. Findings from our studies will aid in developing means to prevent or treat chemical-induced reproductive toxicity and infertility in women.

Parabens are antimicrobial compounds that are extensively used (worldwide) and thus it is almost impossible to prevent human exposure to parabens. In our on-going projects, we specifically examine: (a) what are the effects of paraben on the development and function of the oviduct and the ovary? (b) what are the molecular mechanisms that underlie the effects of paraben on the oviduct and the ovary? (c) is paraben exposure associated with menopausal symptoms in women?

Society of Toxicology

Society for the Study of Reproduction

Since 2015:

1. Gal A, Gedye K, Craig ZR, and Ziv-Gal A (2019) Propylparaben inhibits mouse cultured antral follicle growth, alters steroidogenesis, and upregulates levels of cell-cycle and apoptosis regulators. Reproductive Toxicology. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.07.009.
2. Craig ZR and Ziv-Gal A (2017) Pretty good or pretty bad? – the ovary and chemicals in personal care products. Toxicological Sciences. Invited contemporary review. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx285.
3. Mahalingam S, Ther L, Gao L, Wang W, Ziv-Gal A, Flaws JA (2017) The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on ovarian histology and steroidogenesis in the F1 and F2 generations of mice. Reproductive Toxicology. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.09.013.
4. Ziv-Gal A, Smith RL, Gallicchio L, Miller SR, Zacur HA, and Flaws JA (2017) The Midlife Women’s Health Study – a longitudinal prospective study of the menopausal transition with a focus on menopausal hot flashes. Women’s Midlife Health. Invited manuscript. org/10.1186/s40695-017-0024-8
5. Patel S, Brehm E, Gao L, Rattan S, Ziv-Gal A, and Flaws JA (2017) Bisphenol A Exposure, Ovarian Follicle Numbers, and Sex Steroid Hormone Levels: Results from a CLARITY-BPA Study. Endocrinology doi: 10.1210/en.2016-1887 [Epub ahead of print]
6. Ziv-Gal A, and Flaws JA. (2016) Evidence for bisphenol A-induced female infertility - Review (2007-2016).Fertility Sterility 106(4):827-56. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.06.027. Invited review
7. Ziv-Gal A, Gallicchio L, Chiang C, Ther SN, Miller SR, Zacur HA, Dills RL, and Flaws JA. (2016) Phthalate metabolite levels and menopausal hot flashes in midlife women. Reproductive Toxicology 60:76-81. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.02.001
8. Berger A, Ziv-Gal A, Cudiamat J, Wang W, Zhou C, and Flaws JA. (2016) The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on the ovaries in multiple generations of mice. Reproductive Toxicology 60:39-52. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.12.004
9. Ziv-Gal A, Wang W, Zhou C, and Flaws JA. (2015) The effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on reproductive capacity in several generations of mice. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1;284(3):354-62. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.03.003