title: Persistent organic contaminants and steroid hormones levels in Morelet's crocodiles from the Southern Gulf of Mexico.
abstract: Effects of endocrine disruptors on reproductive variables of top predators, such as alligators and crocodiles, have long been cited. Due to their long life span, these predators provide us with historic contaminant annals. In this study we tried to test whether lifestyle (free-ranging vs. farm animals) and reproductive age of Morelet's crocodiles in Campeche, Mexico, affect the bioaccumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Subsequently, we tested to see whether their concentration was related to steroid hormones (testosterone and estradiol-17β) levels once normal cyclic hormone variation and reproductive age had been taken into account. From the group of contaminants considered (analyzed as families), only frequency of hexachlorocyclohexanes (∑HCH) and ∑PCB permitted analyses. Whereas there was a greater concentration of ∑HCH bioaccumulated by free-ranging crocodiles, ∑PCB was found in equal quantities in free-ranging and farm animals. No difference was observed in relation to reproductive age for any of the contaminants. However, ∑PCB concentrations were related to testosterone levels among female crocodiles. This androgenic effect of ∑PCB has not been reported previously. Because testosterone promotes aggressive behavior in vertebrates, excessive aggression during the estrous season, or when female crocodiles should be caring for their young, could result in reproductive failure in Morelet's crocodiles and potential long-term decline of the population.
authors: Centro EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
authors: Mauricio
authors: M
authors: Gonzalez-Jauregui
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Valdespino
authors: Arturo
authors: A
authors: Salame-Méndez
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Aguirre-León
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Rendón-Vonosten
mesh_terms: D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls