Feminization In Common Terns (Sterna hirundo): Relationship To Persistent Organic Contaminants

Abstract

The possibility of contaminant related endocrine disruption in common terns from Bird Island, Massachusetts was suggested by the presence of ovarian cortical tissue (ovotestes) in male tern embryos. Our objectives were to document the presence of ovotestes in common terns from Bird Island and Nauset, a reference site, and to examine the relationship between environmental contaminants and ovotestes development. Total PCBs and bioassay-derived dioxin equivalents were significantly higher in Bird Island tern embryo yolk sacs than those from Nauset, but were highly variable at both sites. The percentage of male tern embryos with ovotestes at Bird Island (78%) and Nauset (60%) was high and not significantly different.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA353565

Entities

People

  • Constance A. Hart

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Eutrophication
  • Fish
  • Habitats
  • Poultry
  • Wildlife

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.