In Vitro Fertility Goddess.
Wednesday 3 September, 2008
Source: University of Edinburgh
Pregnant women should stop using perfume as it could cause boys to suffer infertility or cancer in later life.
Researchers in Scotland studying rats found that the reproductive system of male foetuses could be damaged by chemicals found in common perfumes and scented creams.
Lead author Professor Richard Sharpe, principal investigator at the Medical Research Council's Human Sciences Unit in Edinburgh says the damage to the male foetus could lead to testicular cancer or infertility.
The most crucial time to avoid using perfumes would be in the 8 to 12 week of pregnancy, a period during which hormones in the foetus are activated and the male reproductive system is created.
Professor Sharpe told the Scotland on Sunday newspaper his research had discovered that the male programming window occurred far earlier in foetal development than was previously thought, before the reproductive organs fully develop.
He added: "Women could stop using body creams and perfumes. Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks; for example it could be certain combinations of chemicals."
Sarah Williams, IVFG Reporter
