A new study of 400 women in five U.S. cities between 1999 and 2005 suggests that women eating beef during pregnancy may put their unborn sons at an increased risk of developing infertility. The study found that men whose mothers ate seven or more meals containing beef per week while pregnant had a 24% decrease in sperm concentration as compared to men whose mothers ate less beef. Researchers believe that these sub-fertile sperm levels may be caused by residual hormones, pesticides, and other contaminants of animal feed that may alter testicular development in utero. Currently, the FDA allows for minimal hormonal residues of stradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and synthetic hormones such as zeranol, trenbolone acetate, and melengestrol to remain in beef. The use of these hormones to promote growth in cattle has been banned in Europe since 1988.

Source: TorontoDailyNews.com

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