Stress hormone linked to male fertility issues

Published on Thursday 22 October 2009 09:45

EXPOSURE to excess stress hormones and chemicals while in the womb could affect a man's fertility in later life, researchers in Edinburgh have found.

Scientists looked at the effect of stress hormones combined with a common chemical used in glues, paints and plastics. They found the combination increased the likelihood of reproductive birth defects.

Researchers from Edinburgh University and the Medical Research Council believe the findings could help explain why rates of babies born with these problems are increasing.

Dr Mandy Drake, of the university's Centre for Cardiovascular Science, said: "The study shows it is not simply a case of one factor contributing to abnormalities in male development but a combination of lifestyle and environmental factors, which together have a greater impact."

The study was carried out with the Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit based at Edinburgh University.