Common Preservative May Harm Female Fertility Across Generations, Study Finds

Propylparaben, a widely used preservative found in shampoos, lotions, packaged foods, and pharmaceuticals, may harm ovarian function and reduce fertility across generations, according to new research.

The findings, published in Nature Communications [September 2025], show that pregnant mice exposed to propylparaben, a known endocrine disruptor, passed fertility problems to their daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. Earlier research by the same team found that mice exposed to propylparaben before birth showed effects resembling diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) in women, meaning they had fewer and lower-quality eggs.

This latest study, however, is the first to link propylparaben exposure to multigenerational fertility decline through biological changes that “reprogram” sperm or eggs and pass impacts down to offspring without changing DNA. It also adds to growing evidence that everyday exposure to common industrial and household chemicals may cause reproductive and other health harms, now and for future generations.

“This biological process emphasizes the profound and enduring impact that environmental stressors can exert on the epigenetic landscape of descendants,” the study’s authors note, “and reveals the potential origins of many diseases.”

Parabens, a class of chemicals used to prevent bacterial growth in a wide range of consumer products, are endocrine disruptors (EDCs) that can mimic or interfere with hormones. Absorbed through the skin, scientists have detected parabens in blood, urine, hair, breast milk, and even the placenta. Studies suggest parabens and other EDCs may be linked to reproductive problems, breast cancer, obesity, and thyroid disorders.