The MERLON project investigates effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on sexual development, using human and (animal-free) New Approach Methodologies. The knowledge gained by these methods will be the input for a roadmap about the identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) based on New Approach Methodologies.

EDCs are substances that can interfere with the hormonal system of the human body and this might impact people’s health or the environment. EDCs can cause health problems such as cancers, infertility and reproductive health problems and thyroid disorders. The prevalence of hormone-related health issues caused by exposure to EDCs is a significant societal challenge. In recent decades, there has been an increase in reproductive health disorders and a decline in fertility rates, which might be linked to exposure to EDCs.

Goals

• Discover biomarkers and the association between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and sexual development and function in humans.
• Deliver New Approach Methodologies that comply with the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement of animal testing) for the identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
• Develop a roadmap to advance identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals in EU European Union (European Union ) regulations.
• Improve regulatory acceptance of NAMs for fertility and reproductive health.
• Consult, engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to maximise the impact of the abovementioned goals.

Consortium

The consortium brings European partners together with world-leading experts in endocrinology, chemical safety assessment, developmental and molecular biology, epidemiology, toxicogenomics, toxicokinetics modelling, regulatory toxicology, psychology, psychiatry and research ethics.

Role of RIVM

RIVM is contributing to work package 3 by developing a human induced pluripotent stem cell based brain model, investigating how zebrafish tests can be used in a testing strategy and evaluating application of these models for regulatory toxicity testing. Within work package 5, RIVM contributes to connecting scientific insights to policy to advance identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Coordinator at RIVM: Dr Doctor (Doctor ). Ellen Hessel. Other RIVM participants: Dr. Martijn Dollé; Dr. Annick van den Brand and Conny van Oostrom.

Funding

MERLON has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 101137411.