Even small dosage of hormone intake can alter gene expression in a way that also affects the next generation, warns a study. In an experiment with pigs, the researchers demonstrated that the administration of even extremely low doses of an endocrine disruptor chemical (EDC) -- an exogenous substance that has the same or similar effects as endogenous hormone -- leads to epigenetic changes in a pregnant sow's DNA.

These changes were also observed in the sows' embryos, and similar changes were even evident after the offspring had reached adulthood, according to the study published in the journal Scientific Reports.