Perfumes or Scented Creams May Harm Unborn Babies

Using perfumes or scented body creams during pregnancy may put unborn boys at an increased risk of developing infertility in later life, a new research has suggested.

The research by the scientists at the Medical Research Council's Human Sciences Unit warns pregnant women not to wear perfume as it can it make their baby sons infertile.

Principal investigator Professor Richard Sharpe and his team reached their findings after analyzing the effects of perfumes on rats. They found that chemicals in many cosmetics can damage the reproductive system of male fetuses that could lead to infertility or testicular cancerdefine.

The study has identified a "time window" of eight to 12 weeks' gestation, when the reproductive organs in an unborn child are particularly vulnerable. The researchers believe that exposure to chemicals found in cosmetics during the aforementioned crucial period may affect later sperm production.

“This is the time when androgens such as testosterone in the foetus are most active,” Prof Sharpe said. “If the male foetus does not receive enough androgens it may not realize its full reproductive potential, including the size of the penis and testes.”

He further said if hormonesdefine, or androgens, including testosterone, don't work properly, it can cause future problems of male fertility, including undescended testicles, low sperm count and the risk of testicular cancer.

During tests on rats, Prof Sharpe’s team found that if the hormones are blocked the animals suffered fertility problems.

“Women could stop using body creams and perfumes. Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks; for example it could be certain combinations of chemicals. If you are thinking about how a baby might be exposed, that's one way, and it's something positive you can do. It might have no consequence, but it's something positive women can do for their baby," the study authors concluded.

Prof Sharpe is due to unveil his findings this week at the Simpson Symposium 2008 in Edinburgh, a conference that aims to attract a range of basic scientists, clinical scientists and physicians working in the broad area of reproduction.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said all cosmetics undergo testing before hitting the markets, and current legislation ensures public safety.

"All cosmetic products including perfume undergo a rigorous safety assessment by manufacturer, she said."The government's primary concern is the safety of the public. The current regulations achieve this."