Outline of the project
This study will assess the impact of contaminants on the reproduction of small cetaceans, and produce data for use in comparisons and modeling. It will use samples from Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises that stranded along the English and Welsh coastlines.

The project will assess the reproductive organs for abnormalitiess and investigate if these are correlated to contaminant burdens. reproductive problems can be caused by many factors including genetic defects, infectious disease, degenerative changes, neoplasia or aging (senescence), nutritional or environmental stress and others.

In humans, it has been suggested that chemicals can cause lower sperm counts, quality, motility; reproductive abnormalities which may cause infertility; and contaminant-associated changes in reproductive hormones.

In this study, using a sample size of 150 male Harbour Porpoises, the impact of contaminant burdens will be examined.
Contaminant analysis is being undertaken by Robin Law at the UK Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; autopsies were carried out by Paul Jepson, Rob Deaville and colleagues at the Institute of Zoology, London; and reproductive and age analysis is being undertaken by Sinéad Murphy at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, St Andrews.

During the course of the project detailed laboratory analysis of all reproductive material will be undertaken, and an assessment of reproductive abnormalities in males and females will be made.


Expected Output
Over the last years, results from a large number of studies have been contributing to the growing evidence of the endocrine disruptors such as organochlorine substances in the environment. Results from the current study will also contribute to the available data on this subject, and will not only produce important information on the effects of contaminants on reproduction in small cetaceans, but it will highlight possible effects of contaminants on reproduction in other top predators, such as humans.

The research undertaken by this study has important implications for conservation of the species in the ASCOBANS area. If the results identify that contaminants have an adverse effect on individual reproductive capabilities, both species would be more vulnerable to exploitation, especially from other anthropogenic activities such as incidental capture, and would not necessarily recover from exploitation in a predictable way.


For a detailed project description, please click here (ASCOBANS Pollutants and Reproduction PDF)



Photo credits: F. Graner (GSM)