Scientists Discover Intersex Fish are More Widespread (USFWS 4/22)

[Muttocracy]

As seen in the PBS Frontline documentary the other night, but that filming was done a while ago...

April 22, 2009
Scientists Discover Intersex Fish are More Widespread

Annapolis, Maryland - A recent study of intersex abnormalities in fish conducted by researchers from the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey in the Potomac River watershed showed that at
least 82 percent of male smallmouth bass and in 23% of the largemouth bass had immature female germ cells
(oocytes) in their reproductive organs.

“Our findings suggest that intersex is both more widespread than previously known, and, at least in the
sampled streams, is not related to a single chemical or source,” said Vicki Blazer a scientist from the U.S.
Geological Survey.

This condition, a type of intersex, is a disturbance in the fish’s hormonal system and is an indicator of
exposure to estrogens or chemicals that mimic the activity of natural hormones. Several other abnormalities
were also noted, some affecting female bass.

“At the moment we don’t know the ecological implications of this condition and it could potentially affect the
reproductive capability of important sport fish species in the watershed,” said Leopoldo Miranda, Supervisor
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office.

more:
PDF: http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/pdf/IntersexPR.pdf