The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom--summary of the EDMAR programme. Endocrine Disruption in the Marine Environment |
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| Authors: | Matthiessen Peter Allen Yvonne Bamber Shaw Craft John Hurst Mark Hutchinson Tom Feist Steve Katsiadaki Ioanna Kirby Mark Robinson Craig Scott Sandy Thain John Thomas Kevin |
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| Institution: | Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Ambleside, Cumbria, UK. pmatt@ceh.ac.uk |
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| Abstract: | This paper summarises results of the EDMAR programme which is investigating oestrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruption in UK coastal waters. Most of the data concern fish. Four species (flounder, viviparous blenny and two sand gobies) are experiencing feminisation in industrialised estuaries. In males this includes vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis, ovotestis induction and/or feminised sexual characteristics. Although reproductive success may be impaired in some cases, implications for fish populations are still unclear. Suspected causative contaminants include natural oestrogenic substances and synthetic oestrogen mimics. The majority of the oestrogenic activity is adsorbed to sediments, and routes of exposure may include benthic food chain transfer. Some natural androgenic substances are also being discharged to estuaries, but their activity appears low. |
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