Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Can Inhibit Masculinity

Summary: A new study reports paracetamol (acetaminophen) could damage the development of male behaviors in offspring if taken while a female is pregnant.

Source: University of Copenhagen.

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) during pregnancy can inhibit the development of ‘male behavior’ in mice; new research from the University of Copenhagen shows that it can reduce sex drive and aggressive behavior.

Paracetamol is popular for relieving pain. But if you are pregnant, you should think twice before popping these pills according to the researchers in a new study. In an animal model, Acetaminophen, which is the pain-relieving substance found in the pills, actually damages the development of male behaviours.

Previous studies have shown the paracetamol can inhibit the development of the male sex hormone testosterone in male foetuses, thus increasing the risk of malformation of the testicles in infants. But a reduced level of testosterone at the foetal stage is also significant for the behaviours of adult males, says Ph.D. David Møbjerg Kristensen, a researcher employed during the studies at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

“We have demonstrated that a reduced level of testosterone means that male characteristics do not develop as they should. This also affects sex drive. In a trial, mice exposed to paracetamol at the foetal stage were simply unable to copulate in the same way as our control animals. Male programming had not been properly established during their foetal development and this could be seen long afterwards in their adult life. It is very worrying,” says David Møbjerg Kristensen.

The dosage administered to the mice was very close to the recommended dosage for pregnant women. Because the trials are restricted to mice, the results cannot be transferred directly to humans. However, the researchers’ certainty about the harmful effects of paracetamol means it would be improper to undertake the same trials on humans, explains David Møbjerg Kristensen.

Markedly reduced male behaviour

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that helps develop the male body and male programming of the brain. The masculine behaviours in mice observed by the researchers involved aggressiveness to other male mice, ability to copulate and the need for territorial marking. The mice reacted significantly more passively than normal for all three parameters. They did not attack other males, they were unable to copulate and behaved more like female mice when it come to urinary territorial marking.

After observing the changed behavioural patterns, Prof. Anders Hay-Schmidt, who was employed at the then Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology during his studies at the University of Copenhagen, investigated the specific effects of a lack of testosterone on the brain. The results showed up clearly here, too.

Image shows a pregnant woman.
He emphasizes that pregnant women should continue to follow the guidelines given by their country’s health authorities and recommends people to contact their GP if in doubt about the use of paracetamol. NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.

“The area of the brain that controls sex drive – the sexual dimorphic nucleus – had half as many neurons in the mice that had received paracetamol as the control mice. The inhibition of testosterone also led to a halving of the activity in an area of the brain that is significant for male characteristics,” he explains.

Also affects female fertility

This study focused on the effect of paracetamol on masculine characteristics but paracetamol during pregnancy also has the potential to influence the subsequent lives of female mice. In 2016, the researchers published a study showing that female mice had fewer eggs in their ovaries if their mothers had had paracetamol during pregnancy. This led to the mice becoming infertile more quickly. But even if paracetamol is harmful, that does not mean it should never be taken, even when pregnant.

“I personally think that people should think carefully before taking medicine. These days it has become so common to take paracetamol that we forget it is a medicine And all medicine has side effects. If you are ill, you should naturally take the medicine you need. After all, having a sick mother is more harmful for the foetus,” says David Møbjerg Kristensen.

He emphasizes that pregnant women should continue to follow the guidelines given by their country’s health authorities and recommends people to contact their GP if in doubt about the use of paracetamol.

About this neuroscience research article

Source: Amanda Nybroe Rohde – University of Copenhagen
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Full open access research for “Prenatal exposure to paracetamol/acetaminophen and precursor aniline impairs masculinisation of male brain and behaviour” by Anders Hay-Schmidt, Olivia T Ejlstrup Finkielman, Benjamin A H Jensen, Christine F Høgsbro, Jacob Bak Holm, Kristoffer Haurum Johansen, Tina Kold Jensen, Anderson Martino Andrade, Shanna H Swan, Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, Søren Brunak, Bernard Jegou, Karsten Kristiansen, and David Møbjerg Kristensen in Reproduction. Published online May 30 2017 doi:10.1530/REP-17-0165

Cite This NeuroscienceNews.com Article

[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]University of Copenhagen “Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Can Inhibit Masculinity.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 22 June 2017.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/pregnancy-acetaminophen-masculinity-6958/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]University of Copenhagen (2017, June 22). Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Can Inhibit Masculinity. NeuroscienceNew. Retrieved June 22, 2017 from https://neurosciencenews.com/pregnancy-acetaminophen-masculinity-6958/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]University of Copenhagen “Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Can Inhibit Masculinity.” https://neurosciencenews.com/pregnancy-acetaminophen-masculinity-6958/ (accessed June 22, 2017).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]


Abstract

Prenatal exposure to paracetamol/acetaminophen and precursor aniline impairs masculinisation of male brain and behaviour

Paracetamol/acetaminophen (N-Acetyl-p-Aminophenol; APAP) is the preferred analgesic for pain relief and fever during pregnancy. It has therefore caused concern that several studies have reported that prenatal exposure to APAP results in developmental alterations in both the reproductive tract and the brain. Genitals and nervous system of male mammals are actively masculinised during foetal development and early postnatal life by the combined actions of prostaglandins and androgens, resulting in the male-typical reproductive behaviour seen in adulthood. Both androgens and prostaglandins are known to be inhibited by APAP. Through intrauterine exposure experiments in C57BL/6 mice, we found that exposure to APAP decreased neuronal number in the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN) of the preoptic area (POA) in the anterior hypothalamus of male adult offspring. Likewise, exposure to the environmental pollutant and precursor of APAP, aniline, resulted in a similar reduction. Decrease in neuronal number in the SDN-POA is associated with reductions in male sexual behaviour. Consistent with the changes, male mice exposed in uteri to APAP exhibited changes in urinary marking behaviour as adults and had a less aggressive territorial display towards intruders of the same gender. Additionally, exposed males had reduced intromissions and ejaculations during mating with females in oestrus. Together, these data suggest that prenatal exposure to APAP may impair male sexual behaviour in adulthood by disrupting the sexual neurobehavioral programming. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting the need to limit the widespread exposure and use of APAP by pregnant women.

“Prenatal exposure to paracetamol/acetaminophen and precursor aniline impairs masculinisation of male brain and behaviour” by Anders Hay-Schmidt, Olivia T Ejlstrup Finkielman, Benjamin A H Jensen, Christine F Høgsbro, Jacob Bak Holm, Kristoffer Haurum Johansen, Tina Kold Jensen, Anderson Martino Andrade, Shanna H Swan, Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, Søren Brunak, Bernard Jegou, Karsten Kristiansen, and David Møbjerg Kristensen in Reproduction. Published online May 30 2017 doi:10.1530/REP-17-0165

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