By NewsGram Staff Writer

A new study, which appeared in the journal, Science Translational Medicine, has shown that prolonged use of paracetamol during pregnancy may hinder the testosterone production in unborn baby boys.

As reported by IANS, Rod Mitchell, a clinical research at University of Edinburgh, stated, "This study adds to existing evidence 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," Mitchell added.

According to the report, the study observed the effects of paracetamol on testosterone production in mice that had grafts of human testicular tissue. These grafts have been shown to mimic how the developing testes grow and function during pregnancy.

The mice were given a daily dose of paracetamol over a period of seven days. The amount of testosterone produced by the human tissue was measured after an hour of the final dose of paracetamol. It was found that there was no effect on testosterone production following 24 hours of paracetamol treatment.

However, after seven days of exposure, the amount of testosterone production was reduced by 45 per cent.

"Further research is required to establish the mechanism by which paracetamol might have this effect," the team concluded.