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In a study from Denmark, researchers sought to determine whether paternal use of metformin during sperm development, prior to conception, might cause birth defects. Their interest in this question derived — at least in part — from observations that metformin can lower testosterone levels, which could affect sperm quality. Using nationwide databases covering a 20-year period, they examined the incidence of birth defects in children whose fathers (but not mothers) were taking diabetes medications during the 3 months before conception, when sperm would be developing.
Major birth defects occurred in 3.3% of 1.1 million children whose fathers took no diabetes drugs and in 3.3% of children whose fathers used insulin. In contrast, these incidences …