Paracetamol Use During Pregnancy May Impair Offspring Fertility

Dr. David Kristensen and colleagues from the Copenhagen University Hospital have conducted a study with results suggesting that the use of paracetamol during pregnancy may impair the future fertility of their female offspring as seen published in Endocrine Connections. In this research from 3 separate and independent rodent model investigations were analyzed with findings that all reporting the altered development in the reproductive systems of the female offspring of mothers that were given paracetamol during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen or paracetamol is a nonprescription over the counter treatment used for pain relief that is taken by people, commonly used by pregnant women across the world. The use of paracetamol during pregnancy has recently been linked by studies with disruptions in the development of male offspring reproductive system, up until now the effects of paracetamol on female offspring had not been investigated.

During pregnancy it is well known that exposure to some chemicals may cause developmental effects that may not manifest until later in life. Females, both humans and rodents, are born with a finite number of eggs to be used in reproduction later in life. Rodent models that were given paracetamol during pregnancy, which were the equivalent to doses that a pregnant women may take, produced female offspring with fewer eggs, which may reduce their chances of successful fertilization and reproduction, especially as they got older.

The decreased eggs may not be a severe impairment, but it is still a concern that data from different labs independently all had similar findings, suggesting that further research is needed. Parallels between the reproductive development of human and rodent exists. But the findings of these studies have not yet been firmly established in humans. Establishing the links much later in the adult life of the offspring in humans will be difficult. Combining epidemiological data from studies it may be possible to establish links to determine how it happens, so that pregnant women in the future in pain can be treated without risk to their unborn children.

Dr. Kristensen says as scientists they can’t make any recommendations, and urge pregnant women in pain to consult with a professional for advice.