title: 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.
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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Ambleside, Cumbria, UK. pmatt@ceh.ac.uk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matthiessen
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Shaw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bamber
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Craft
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feist
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Katsiadaki
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thain
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical