New research finds that the
hormone ethinyl-estradiol, an active substance in many birth control pills,
affects both fish behaviour and their genetics.
The hormone
ethinyl-estradiol (EE2) is an active substance in many birth control pills
which affects aquatic organisms when released as waste into the water. In her
thesis, Lina Nikoleris studies how fish are affected by EE2.
"Even low
concentrations of EE2 have an impact on fish -- both their behaviour and their
genetics. We have seen a change in the genetic balance in fish, and that they
have a harder time catching food. Previous studies have shown that the fish
also develop problems with procreation. This can lead to the complete
disappearance of an entire fish population, and consequences for entire
ecosystems," says Lina Nikoleris.
Fish have more
oestrogen receptors than humans, which makes them especially vulnerable to
oestrogen in water. The thesis studies three different fish species: salmon,
trout and roach, which are economically important fish that live in both sea
and freshwater.
Lina Nikoleris
has also studied nurse midwives' knowledge of the environmental impact of
hormonal birth control, the information they receive, and the impact it has on
the consultation they provide.
The results
show that the midwives find that they do not have sufficient knowledge, and any
information they have mainly comes from pharmaceutical companies. In Sweden
birth control is subsidised but the system can be difficult to grasp, and it
mainly includes hormonal birth control methods.
Overall, the
knowledge about hormone-free alternatives is scarce.
"The
impact that human beings have on the environment is an important issue, so I do
not only want to study the ecological aspect of how fish are affected by
hormones, but also look at the way we use hormonal birth control. Technical
solutions are not enough to purify our water -- we must also make sure that
prescribers and women receive all the relevant information when selecting a
method of birth control," says Lina Nikoleris.
Lina Nikoleris
is defending her thesis on Friday March 4, which will be available online at a
later stage.
Story Source:
The above post
is reprinted from materials provided by Lund University.
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