• Health
  • Science
  • U.S.
  • Technology
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

Building a Better World

News and information

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Our Team

Fracking chemicals can lower sperm count and fertility, study finds

October 14, 2015 By Sam Catherman

Fracking chemicals can lower sperm count and fertility, study finds

A recent study reveals that certain chemicals used in the fracking process can have serious negative impacts on male fertility.

People who live in areas with high natural gas production have worried about the chemicals used in the fracking process for years. But according to a report from the Examiner, they may have real reason to be concerned. A recent study from researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia shows that at least 40 percent of the chemicals used in the fracking process have been found to lower sperm count in men, increase testicle size, and increase the overall levels of testosterone in the blood.

The research was published in the October 13 edition of the journal Endocrinology, and shows that the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing processes had endocrine-disrupting properties, meaning that they affected the balance of hormones in the body.

The study exposed female mice to various chemicals and recorded the impact they had on levels of estrogen, androgen, progesterone, glucocorticoid, and thyroid hormones in their offspring. They picked chemicals used by gas companies in Garfield County, Colorado.

Female mice were exposed to 23 of the fracking chemicals for an 11-day time window, leading up to the day when the mice gave birth. The level of exposure in the experiment was commensurate with what wild animals in gas production areas would experience.

The researchers compared the offspring of the exposed mice to a control group that hadn’t been exposed to any fracking chemicals. They found that the male mice who were born to exposed mothers showed lower sperm counts, larger testicles, and higher levels of blood testosterone as adults.

Sharing

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmail

Filed Under: Front Page, Health

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us

Facebookrss

Search:

Recent Posts

  • NASA’s InSight spacecraft makes important course correction May 26, 2018
  • Scientists outraged at latest Trump decision May 15, 2018
  • Huge uproar erupts over major incident at Utah park May 13, 2018
  • Incredible moon discovery stuns scientists May 12, 2018
  • Authorities shocked by discovery about common painkiller May 6, 2018
  • Outrageous crocodile experiment stuns scientists May 5, 2018
  • Great Barrier Reef is too quiet, scientists say May 1, 2018
  • Massive Hiroshima bomb discovery shocks scientists May 1, 2018
  • Earth will be slammed by massive asteroid April 29, 2018
  • Teens are doing something incredibly alarming in schools April 29, 2018
  • Huge discovery in Tasmania stuns scientists April 28, 2018
  • Shocking discovery in New Jersey stuns authorities April 22, 2018
  • Huge volcanic explosion could wipe out the United States April 21, 2018
  • Huge controversy erupts over world’s hottest pepper April 15, 2018
  • SpaceX is about to do something astonishing April 15, 2018

Copyright © 2019 Jones Kilmartin Group, LLC · Metro Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress