A chemical substance found in, inter alia, In antibacterial soaps, socks and toothpaste, it can disrupt the activity of enzymes that play an important role during pregnancy, researchers from the University of Florida report.
The organic chemical triclosan, widely regarded as harmless, is found in hundreds of popular products. A team of researchers at the University of Florida, led by Margaret O. James, found that this substance interferes with the activity of an enzyme related to estrogen metabolism.
During pregnancy, this enzyme helps metabolize estrogen and carries it across the placenta to the developing fetus, where it plays a key role in brain development and gene regulation.
We suspect this substance is dangerous during pregnancy. If enough triclosan is put into the placenta, it will disrupt the enzyme. We know for sure that this is a very powerful inhibitor. However, we do not know how much of the substance can cause negative effects, says James.
The placenta serves mainly as a survival kit in the womb for the developing baby. Almost everything the fetus receives from its mother, namely food and oxygen, comes to it through the placenta. It also produces important hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.
Estrogen, in turn, affects how much oxygen the baby gets from the mother. Oxygen travels through the mother’s uterine artery. Without enough estrogen, this artery can contract, causing a reduction in blood flow. Estrogen is also involved in signaling uterine contractions during labor.
Maintaining the right hormone levels during pregnancy is about keeping your balance, as too much estrogen can cause premature birth.
Triclosan is a substance present in the environment of which each has a negligible amount. If you use products that contain triclosan, you will likely have more of this substance. It has some real benefits, but there are risks to using it, says Bruce Hammock of the University of California-Davis.
The results of the study have been published in Environment International. (PAP)