|
Feminisation of fish PrefaceThis report aims to give an overview of the existing knowledge on selected endocrine disrupting compounds including their fate in sewage treatment works, their occurrence in the aquatic environment and their endocrine disrupting effects on fish. Both effects observed among wild species of fish in their natural environments and effects which can be induced by controlled exposure of fish to the compounds in question will be described. Studies from a number of European countries during recent years have demonstrated that feminisation of fish in their aquatic environment in many cases can be ascribed to the natural steroids, 17b -estradiol and estrone, and the synthetic estrogen, ethinylestradiol, used in contraceptives and all being excreted with domestic sewage by women. The main focus of this report will therefore be on these three hormones. Additional information will be given in lesser detail on the less potent natural estrogen estriol and on alkylphenols and bisphenol A which are known estrogenic chemicals which can be detected in sewage effluent. This report will therefore concentrate on endocrine disruption via estrogenic mechanisms, though it should be born in mind that endocrine disruption is a larger subject which also covers i.e. antiestrogenic, androgenic and antiandrogenic effects. The latter are, however, outside the scope of this report.
|