Work

PCBs as Environmental Estrogens: Turtle Sex Determination as a Biomarker of Environmental Contamination

Year: 1994

Type: article

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread, low-level environmental pollutants associated with adverse health effects such as immune suppression and teratogenicity. There is increasing evidence that some PCB compounds are capable of disrupting reproductive and endocrine function in fish, birds, and mammals, including humans, particularly during development. Research on the mechanism through which these compounds act to alter reproductive function indicates estrogenic activity, whereby the compounds may be altering sexual differentiation. Here we demonstrate the estrogenic effect of some PCBs by reversing gonadal sex in a reptile species that exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination.

Source: Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI: 10.1289/ehp.94102780

Authors: J M Bergeron, D Crews, J A McLachlan

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Public Health Service