'Feminized' males develop in the Basque country

Researchers from the Basque University in northern Spain have discovered many feminized fish along the estuaries in this area.

Worldwide, pollution is attributed to the increasing number of male fish populations.

The feminine phenomenon in males is getting worse - (Photo: popsci.com)

In order to test this trend in northern Spain, researchers from the Basque University began collecting thick-sided fish in the area.

The results showed that at the six estuaries surveyed, the team found cases of maleized fish, and even forced sex transfer (with genitals with both testicles and eggs). .

' Endocrine disorder is a phenomenon that is spreading throughout our estuaries, which means, like the situation discovered in other countries, we have similar problems due to pollution'. , according to team leader Miren P. Cajaraville.

Endocrine disordering chemicals can be found in every product today: pesticides, detergents, birth control pills, cosmetics . all easily penetrate freshwater systems around the world.

Details of the study were simultaneously published in the Science of the Total Environment and Marine Environmental Research.