Video: Dr Richard Lea talks about what the study may mean for expectant mothers
Eating meat from animals that have grazed on land treated with a common agriculture fertiliser could have “serious implications” for expectant mothers and the future reproductive health of their unborn babies.
This is according to a new study that has been conducted by British and French scientists and led by the University of Nottingham.
While there is no conclusive proof that the fertiliser does affect humans, the researchers did find that sheep were affected and say further study is needed.
THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS CREATE A MASS PANIC
The research suggests that some fertiliser chemicals interfere with an unborn baby’s development process, particularly those that mimic sex steroids, and may have long-lasting effects on adult female fertility.
Dr Richard Lea, of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at The University of Nottingham wanted to make clear that nothing was conclusive in this research and at this time, and said expectant mothers need not worry about what they are eating.
He said: “The last thing I want to do is create a mass panic. There isn’t a reason at the moment for me to do that.
“This is purely the science of what these chemicals are capable of, particularly in that species (sheep) and of course there is a warning that they may have similar effects but there are so many unanswered questions.
“The way chemicals accumulate in one species does not necessarily mean that will represent the way they accumulate in another and it may end up being totally different.”
The research group investigated development of ovaries in the foetal sheep, which is very similar to ovary development in humans, exposing the pregnant sheep to sewage sludge-derived fertiliser to simulate ‘real-life’ exposure.
Since the number of eggs present in the ovary at birth is determined while still in the womb, the research shows that the implications of disrupted ovary development could be significant.
Poppy Towning, 21, is an expectant mother from Carlton and is not too concerned until more developments are made in the research.
“I think that’s crazy because they have been using these methods for years but nothing is ever completely organic or chemical free so if you worried too much you’d end up not eating anything.
“It won’t stop me from continuing to eat shop brought produce.”
Work on this study is still ongoing to find conclusive proof as to whether humans are effected in the same way as sheep, and it is expected to be some time before more evidence emerges.
