Researchers studied two man-made chemicals ethinylestradiol and bisphenol A. Male mice exposed to the substances while in the womb, developed deformities of the prostate and urethra.
The University of Missouri research team published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Frederick vom Saal, professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri, who led the study, said: "During fetal life, small amounts of such estrogenic chemicals could permanently disrupt cellular control systems and predispose the prostate to disease."
vom Saal believes it is possible that these chemicals might lead to prostate cancer.
However Dr. Richard Sharpe, from the Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in Edinburgh, questions the use of mice in the experiment.
"During pregnancy, women produce a lot of estrogen so babies are exposed to this naturally," said Dr. Sharpe. "This does not happen in mice."
Experts are urging people not to be alarmed because there is still no concrete evidence of deformities stemming from oral contraceptives or food containers, in humans.
