University Network

A recent study conducted by Professor Sergio Recabarren of the University of Concepcion in Chile showed that low sperm count and motility can be traced back during a male’s fetal develoment. A developing fetus is vulnerable and its growth may be greatly influenced by several factors in the environment. Among them includes exposure of the mother to excess steroids like testosterone. Exposure can occur in two instances. If the mother has polycystic ovary syndrome, an abnormal hormonal condition that increases sex hormones in the maternal environment and the other is constant exposure of the mother to an environment full of industrial pollutants that mimic steroid action. This could inhibit or accelerate normal steroid production. Low sperm counts are also associated with an increased incidence of testicular cancer than those with normal sperm analysis.

Although the study only involved sheeps, researchers believed that exposure to an excess in steroids during fetal development is also harmful to humans and can also produce similar results found in male sheeps. Among the findings include a significant reduction in scrotum circumference, low birth weight and low sperm count. Furthermore, the highlight of the study is to show the detrimental effects of prenatal steroid excess and its growing concerns.

From Science Daily:

In this study, researchers treated pregnant sheep with 30 mg testosterone propionate twice weekly from days 30 to 90 of pregnancy and with 40 mg testosterone propionate from days 90 to 120 of pregnancy. They found a significant reduction in body weight, scrotal circumference, and sperm count in male sheep born to these mothers compared with control sheep.

“While this research involved sheep, it can certainly be argued that in humans, exposure to an excess of sexual steroids during fetal development could constitute a potential risk factor that may conduct to a low sperm count,” said Dr. Recabarren.

Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: excess steroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, sperm count, testicular cancer, testosterone propionate