According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, women who consume large amounts of beef while pregnant may give birth to sons with lower sperm counts. The researchers suspect that pesticides, hormones, or contaminants in cattle feed could be responsible for this effect on future sperm count.
The study included data from the partners of 387 pregnant women in five U.S. cities between 2000 and 2005, as well as information from the mothers of the fathers-to-be. Of the 51 men whose mothers had a high beef intake during pregnancy, 18 percent had sperm counts classified as sub-fertile by the World Health Organization.
“The average sperm concentration of the men in our study decreased as their mothers’ beef intake increased. However, further research is needed before drawing any definitive conclusions,” explained Shanna Swan, the leader of the research team.
While the study has its limitations, as it is a retrospective study that relies on participants’ memories, Swan believes that pregnant women can recall their food intake accurately. “When you are pregnant, you are very aware of what you eat. You pay attention to your weight and certain foods can make you sick, so you focus on ensuring a balanced diet,” she said.
The mothers of the men in the study were asked about their beef consumption, specifically if they ate it more than once a day or less. Swan believes that this information was reported accurately.
Moving forward, Swan plans to conduct similar research on young men living in the European Union, where hormones have been banned in beef since 1988.
This study highlights the importance of considering organic options during pregnancy in order to promote better reproductive health for future generations.
