Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Chemistry

Half of sunscreens might disrupt sperm function

Women who use certain sunscreens might be at risk of infertility, as scientists found 45 percent of the tested products contained chemicals that mess with the function of sperm.

Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu
May 22, 2017
in Chemistry, Health, News

Women who use certain sunscreens might be at risk of infertility, as scientists found 45 percent of the tested products contained chemicals that mess with the function of sperm. It’s important to note that this research is still ongoing. Tests were made in vitro, using sperm cells in a solution that mimicked conditions inside the female fallopian tubes. Not even mice were tested yet, so take the findings with a grain of salt (i.e. don’t freak out just yet).

sunscreen
Image: Flickr

“These results are of concern and might explain in part why unexplained infertility is so prevalent,” said the study’s senior investigator, Niels Skakkebaek, MD, DMSc, a professor at the University of Copenhagen and a researcher at the Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet.

Skakkebaek and colleagues studied  29 of the 31 UV filters allowed in sunscreens in the U.S. or the European Union (EU) on live sperm cells collected from healthy donors. The cells were placed in buffer solution.

The analysis was focused on calcium signaling, where changes in the concentrations of calcium ions causes the cell to behave differently. In sperm, this signaling is very important. CatSper is one of the most important calcium ion channels inside the human sperm cell. It’s the main receptor for progesterone, a hormone that attracts human sperm cells. When the hormone binds to the Catsper calcium channel, the interaction causes a temporary surge in calcium ions inside the sperm cell. This controls several sperm functions necessary for fertilization.

[MORE] What the SPF number on your sunscreen means

Researchers found 13 of 29 tested UV filters induced calcium ion influxes in the sperm cell.  “This effect began at very low doses of the chemicals, below the levels of some UV filters found in people after whole-body application of sunscreens,” Skakkebaek said. Nine of the thirteen filters specifically cause calcium ion influx in the CatSper channel, thereby mimicking the effect of progesterone.

“Our study suggests that regulatory agencies should have a closer look at the effects of UV filters on fertility before approval,” said Skakkebaek, who has since applied for funding to test these findings in an animal model.

UV filters are used in sunscreens that protect the body by absorbing UV rays, instead of reflecting them. Physical sunscreens that contain reflecting chemicals like zinc shouldn’t interfere with sperm function — if there’s anything that’s interfering in the first place. We’ll know more for certain after research on mice is carried out.

Some of the filters found to disrupt sperm function are: avobenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate (also known as octyl salicylate), octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate), octocrylene, oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3 or BP-3) and padimate O.

via Science Alert

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. Baby boy is born using sperm frozen in 1996. Now, scientists claim sperm could work even after centuries of storage
  2. The sperm crisis: men’s sperm count down 50% since the 1970s, a decline that is accelerating across the world
  3. About 73% of sunscreens don’t work as they claim or contain harmful ingredients
  4. PMS may have evolved to disrupt infertile relationships
  5. Sea Shepherd will continue to disrupt Japanese whaling ships, despite the US ruling they shouldn’t
Tags: sperm

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW