Nondestructive biomarkers of exposure to disrupting chemicals in endangered species endocrine of wildlife

This paper explores the problem of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) fr om the ecotoxicological point of view, focusing on nondestructive biomarker s of exposure to EDCs for risk assessment of endangered species of wildlife . Several EDCs, such as polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic met als, tend to be biomagnified in the terrestrial and particularly the marine food chains. Top predators tend to accumulate high concentrations of these contaminants which places them in a situation of high toxicological risk. Hence, there is a need to develop nondestructive techniques, such as nondes tructive biomarkers, for hazard assessment, protection, and conservation of endangered species exposed to EDCs. The biological materials proposed for this approach (for example blood, faeces, fur, skin biopsy specimens) are e asily obtained with minimal stress for individuals and populations. Some va lidation data are reported on porphyrins in sea bird excreta (Lants dominic anus, Phalacrocorax olivaceus, Pelecanus occidentalis thagus), as nondestru ctive biomarkers of exposure to organochlorines, and on benzopyrene monooxy genase activities in marine mammal skin biopsy specimens (Stenella coeruleo alba, Balaenoptera physalus), as early indicators of exposure to p,p'-DDE a nd other endocrine disrupting organochlorines. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.