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Mal
09-07-2004, 17:41
Link (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040709/325/exocl.html) ;)
Ramrod
09-07-2004, 18:20
WTF are we doing to our environment :(
This reminds me of the story in the 1980's where Italian boys developed female characteristics after eating veal that had been fattened with the aid of oestragens.....
homealone
09-07-2004, 18:31
This isn't a new phenomenon, ever since the contraceptive pill was introduced, the prescence of oestrogens in sewage was shown to have potential for affecting fish in this way. Increase in use of HRT doesn't help, either.

I think what the article highlights, is that it isn't going away and we really need to start doing something about it. :shrug:
Bex
09-07-2004, 19:01
how does a fish show female characteristics??
Ramrod
09-07-2004, 19:13
how does a fish show female characteristics??Starts using make-up.....
Bex
09-07-2004, 19:21
Starts using make-up.....
or dressing in skirts?
or growing their hair long?
Ramrod
09-07-2004, 19:42
or dressing in skirts?
or growing their hair long?Don't be silly.....fish don't wear skirts :rolleyes: ;) :D
homealone
09-07-2004, 19:45
how does a fish show female characteristics??

one effect is that male fish start producing a protein that is associated with egg yolk production in females. :erm:
Xaccers
09-07-2004, 19:54
Of course many breeds of fish, unlike mamals, are able to change gender anyway.
And the fish involved live near sewerage outlets rather than in drinking water.
homealone
09-07-2004, 20:16
Of course many breeds of fish, unlike mamals, are able to change gender anyway.
And the fish involved live near sewerage outlets rather than in drinking water.

true on both counts, but the gender changing that naturally occurs is usually to maximise breeding potential, for the species. There is one species, where the males collect 'harems' of females, with which they mate exclusively. As they can't do this successfully, until they get big enough to defend their harem, all newly hatched fish are female, but they change into males when they reach a certain size.

The effect of oestrogens in sewage is tending to produce sterile males, rather than 'proper' females, though.
Bex
09-07-2004, 20:20
Don't be silly.....fish don't wear skirts :rolleyes: ;) :D
and them wearing make up isnt?:erm: :rolleyes:
Marge
09-07-2004, 20:20
There is one species, where the males collect 'harems' of females, with which they mate exclusively

Chavsters ??????
homealone
09-07-2004, 20:26
Chavsters ??????

:LOL:


Pikeys, maybe ;) :D
deadite66
09-07-2004, 20:33
sperm counts are going down in the west, wonder if a point in the future will be reached where the pill and hrt will be banned.
Marge
09-07-2004, 20:38
sperm counts are going down in the west, wonder if a point in the future will be reached where the pill and hrt will be banned.

:eek: I really hope not :erm:
bopdude
09-07-2004, 20:48
Chavsters ??????
If only...lol