The study, carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, found that prolonged use of the painkiller could potentially reduce testosterone production in male babies.
The initial research was carried out on mice, with researchers finding that there was a 45% reduction in testosterone when the animals were given three doses of paracetamol a day for a week. The results were compared with the testosterone levels of mice that were given a placebo.
What made this study different to the usual mice-based studies was that the rodents here were carrying grafts of human testicular tissue. The researchers found that the paracetamol dosage had no effect on testosterone levels after 24 hours, but it reduced the levels by almost half after a week.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Rod Mitchell said: “This study adds to existing evidence that suggests that prolonged use of paracetamol in pregnancy may increase the risk of reproductive disorders in male babies.”
“We would advise that pregnant women should follow current guidance that the painkiller be taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time…If women feel they need to take medicines such as paracetamol when they are pregnant, they should talk to their midwife or doctor first,” he added.
