title: Multi-factorial influences on sex ratio: a spatio-temporal investigation of endocrine disruptor pollution and neighborhood stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is suggested the declining male birth proportion in some industrialized countries is linked to ubiquitous endocrine disruptor exposure. Stress and advanced parental age are determinants which frequently present positive findings. Multi-factorial influences on population sex ratio are rarely explored or tested in research.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that dual factors of pollution and population stress affects sex proportion at birth through geographical analysis of Central Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study incorporates the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools to overlay modeled point source endocrine disruptor air emissions with "small-area" data on multiple deprivation (a proxy measurement of stress) and birth sex. Historical review of regional sex ratio trends presents additional data on sex ratio in Scotland to consider.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no overall concentration in Central Scotland of low sex ratio neighborhoods with areas where endocrine disruptor air pollution and deprivation or economic stress were high. Historical regional trends in Scotland (from 1973), however, do show significantly lower sex ratio values for populations where industrial air pollution is highest (i.e. Eastern Central Scotland).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of small area data sets and pollution inventories is a potential new method of inquiry for reproductive environmental and health protection monitoring and has produced interesting findings.
authors.forename: Ewan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watterson
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.forename: E Marion
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition; D011156:Population Density; D012606:Scotland; D012744:Sex Ratio
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Air pollution,; Endocrine disruption,; Male births,; Maternal age; Multiple deprivation,; Neighborhood stress,; Reproductive health,; Sex ratio,