The effects of livestock artificial hormones on the human reproductive and endocrine systems – a meta-analysis

The growing global demand for meat and dairy has led many livestock producers to use artificial hormones to speed up animal growth and increase production. While this boosts efficiency, it raises serious concerns for human health. Hormones like melengestrol, zeranol, progesterone, tes­to­sterone and estradiol can disrupt the human endocrine sys­tem, potentially causing fertility issues, hormonal im­ba­lances and long-term health problems. This study reviews the health effects of consuming hormone-treated animal pro­ducts through a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed articles published after 2012. Sources were selected from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate, fo­cu­sing on studies with strong methods and direct relevance to human health. The results reveal health risks linked to hormone residues and highlight the gaps in public aware­ness and regulation. A comparison of global policies shows clear differences: the European Union bans several hor­mones, Canada enforces strict monitoring, while the U.S. al­lows a limited use under regulation. These policy gaps show the need for unified global standards. The study calls for stron­ger regulation, better consumer education, and safer, hor­mone-free farming practices to protect public health and en­sure a more sustainable food system.