New test method can detect whether chemicals are endocrine disrupters. It has just been approved by OECD

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark is behind a unique test that can detect endocrine disrupters. The method can help to prevent hormone-disrupting substances entering the environment and destroying fish stocks. Although it is fish that is tested, it can also help to reveal whether chemicals can change people's hormonal balance, so their fertility or other mechanisms in the body damaged. OECD has just approved test method, and it is an important step in removing dangerous chemicals that we emit to nature and surrounding us in everyday life, for example. in packaging, cosmetics and detergents. The approval means namely that all OECD countries are obliged to accept the result of the test if the new Danish method is used.

Zebrafish change sex

The test is performed on zebrafish, which can alter the sex at very small amounts of chemicals. The fish are exposed to a chemical for 60 days from the eggs until they are sexually mature. Then sexed fish and undergoing some tests, so you can safely determine whether a particular chemical has been the fish to change sex. The synthetic hormone trenbolone, used for cattle breeding in eg USA and South America, is a good example of a chemical test can reveal. - We have succeeded in developing a method that meets the extreme demands on sensitivity. The method can for example. reveal that if just pour 0.1 grams trenbolone in 45 million liters of water - equivalent to 18 Olympic swimming pools - it can get all female fish in the water to change sex, says biologist Henrik Holbech. He is a postdoc at the Institute of Biology, the researchers for 10 years has been working to develop the test. It is done in close cooperation with the independent research and consultancy organization DHI. EPA and the Nordic Council of Ministers has funded the development work. Source: SDU