DDT-induced feminization of gull embryos

Science. 1981 Aug 21;213(4510):922-4. doi: 10.1126/science.7256288.

Abstract

Injection of DDT [1, 1, 1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] into gull eggs at concentrations comparable to those found in contaminated seabird eggs in 1970 induces abnormal development of ovarian tissue and oviducts in male embryos. Developmental feminization of males is associated with inability to breed as adults and may explain the highly skewed sex ratio and reduced number of male gulls breeding on Santa Barbara Island in southern California.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / chemically induced
  • Birds / physiology*
  • DDT / pharmacology*
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Male
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Sex Ratio*

Substances

  • DDT