Publication Abstract

The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom - summary of the EDMAR programme

The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom – summary of the EDMAR programme

P. Matthiessen, Y.T. Allen, S. Bamber, J. Craft, M.R. Hurst, T. Hutchinson, S.W.Feist, I. Katsiadaki, M.F. Kirby, C.Robinson, A.P. Scott, J.E. Thain and K.V.Thomas

This paper summarises the main results to date of the three year EDMAR programme which is investigating oestrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruption in UK coastal and estuarine 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, but 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 organisms. Some natural androgenic substances are also being discharges to estuaries, but at concentrations which do not generally appear to cause responses in fish.

Reference:

P. Matthiessen, Y.T. Allen, S. Bamber, J. Craft, M.R. Hurst, T. Hutchinson, S.W.Feist, I. Katsiadaki, M.F. Kirby, C.Robinson, A.P. Scott, J.E. Thain and K.V.Thomas, 2002. The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom – summary of the EDMAR programme. Marine Environmental Research, 54(3-5): 645-649. 

P. Matthiessen, Y. T. Allen*, S. Bamber, J. Craft, M.R. Hurst*, T. Hutchinson, S.W.Feist*, I. Katsiadaki*, M.F. Kirby*, C. Robinson, A.P. Scott*, J.E. Thain* and K.V.Thomas*

Marine Environmental Research, 54(3-5): 645-649