Male fish get female features
Washington - US government scientists figure that one out of three male smallmouth bass in American river basins have features of both sexes.
Among largemouth bass, about one in five male fish have those characteristics. The findings come from the US Geological Survey in its first examination of how widespread these intersex fish are in America. The agency looked at past data from river basins covering about two-thirds of the country.
Past studies have linked the problem to endocrine-disrupting hormones, such as oestrogen from women's contraceptives and hormone treatments, that seep into US rivers.
Washington - US government scientists figure that one out of three male smallmouth bass in American river basins have features of both sexes.
Among largemouth bass, about one in five male fish have those characteristics. The findings come from the US Geological Survey in its first examination of how widespread these intersex fish are in America. The agency looked at past data from river basins covering about two-thirds of the country.
Past studies have linked the problem to endocrine-disrupting hormones, such as oestrogen from women's contraceptives and hormone treatments, that seep into US rivers.