Determining How Environmental Gestagens Affect Reproduction in Aquatic Wildlife

Gestagens include natural and synthetic compounds that bind progesterone receptors and play critically important roles in vertebrate reproduction. In fish, gestagens regulate gamete maturation and orchestrate reproductive behavior. Gestagens enter the environment through wastewater flowing from treatment plants and agricultural runoff. Researchers will examine how exposure to gestagens affects the reproductive biology of fish and whether filtering of water changes these effects. Results from this study will greatly increase our understanding of how environmental gestagen exposure affects wildlife and will identify possible ways to prevent reproductive toxicity.