Author Interviews, OBGYNE, Testosterone / 23.06.2017
Prenatal Acetaminophen Linked To Decreased Masculinization and Testosterone in Male Offspring
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
David M. Kristensen, PhD
Assistant Professor Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen,
Blegdamsvej 3A, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We have demonstrated that a reduced level of testosterone during fetal life by paracetamol means that male characteristics do not develop as they should. This also affects sex drive. In the 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. Moreover, 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 seem to have led to less activity in an area of the brain that is significant for male characteristics.
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