title: Widespread contamination of coastal sediments in the Transmanche Channel with anti-androgenic compounds.
abstract: This study analysed the levels of androgen receptor antagonist activity in extracts of coastal sediments sampled from estuaries in southern UK and northern France. Anti-androgenic (AA) activity varied between <0.2 and 224.3±38.4μg flutamide equivalents/g dry weight of sediment and was significantly correlated with the total organic carbon and silt content of samples. AA activity was detected in tissues extracts of clams, Scrobicularia plana, sampled from a contaminated estuary, some of which was due to uptake of a series of 4 or 5 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Initial studies also indicated that fractionated extracts of male, but not female, clams also contained androgen receptor agonist activity due to the presence of dihydrotestosterone in tissues. This study reveals widespread contamination of coastal sediments of the Transmanche region with anti-androgenic compounds and these contaminants should be investigated for their potential to disrupt sexual differentiation in aquatic organisms.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Indiveri
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rostkowski
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horwood
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, UPRES EA-3222, UFR de Sciences et Techniques, Université du Havre, 25 rue Philippe Lebon, BP 540, 76058 Le Havre Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minier
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.affiliation: Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Langston
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: E.M.Hill@sussex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000502:physiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D006113:United Kingdom; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: AR-CALUX; Anti-androgen; Clam; Effect-directed analysis; Endocrine disruption; Sediment