New research has the American Meat Institute (AMI) on edge after researchers reported a possible link between reduced male fertility and their mother’s high beef consumption during pregnancy.

According to the study, which was conducted at the University of Rochester and published online in the Human Reproduction journal, the link may boil down to the growth hormones and other chemicals used in beef.

Researchers found that male subjects born between 1949 and 1983 whose mothers consumed more than seven beef meals per week had a sperm count that was 24 percent lower than those whose mother’s ate less beef. It was also more likely for the sons of the high-beef consumers to have a sperm count classified as sub-fertile by the World Health Organization (WHO) as compared to the other men in the study.

Seven-hundred seventy-three men provided semen samples and information was available for 387 regarding their mother’s beef-eating habits during their pregnancies. The average reported was 4.3 beef meals per week. Three-hundred-thirty-six of the mothers reported eating seven or fewer beef meals per week while 51 reported eating more.

And while lower sperm count was reported, all men in the study had produced at least one child without medical assistance.

Also important to note is that no correlation was found between either the men’s own beef consumption or their mother’s consumption of other foods such as lamb, chicken, pork, or vegetables.

Validity questioned

While criticism from the AMI is to be expected, there are certain points that lend credence to their concerns regarding the study’s validity.

AMI representatives point out that the conflict of interest in having the study subjects interview their mother’s themselves, as opposed to a professional interviewer. Also criticized is the credibility of menu recollections decades after a pregnancy.

And the study, the AMI noted, did not include laboratory analysis of any compounds suggested to be contained in beef, or of the beef the mother’s reported consuming so many years ago.

But no one is arguing the use of growth hormones or chemical additives in beef. Still in use today are anabolic steroids, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit on the acceptable daily intake of the six hormones most often used in cattle.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), the first synthetic hormone, has been used in the USA since 1954, and was banned in 1979.

Other growth promoters such as oestradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and trenbolone are still used in the USA. All growth promoters have been banned in Europe since 1988.

No clear answers

Researchers themselves were unable to pinpoint which hormone, pesticide, or other chemical as the direct cause for reduced male fertility. Researchers themselves are cautious of the data, stating that they are merely trying to bring the issue to light.

It also has been suggested that the same study be repeated in European males born after 1988.

Although there are no clear answers, it is certain that more research on this particular issue is an absolute must.

In the meantime, the World Trade Organization reportedly will rule against the European Union next week in a 12-year-old dispute with the United States and Canada over hormone treated beef treated.