Polar bear genitals shrinking due to pollution

[Sinstar]

Shrinkage could endanger animals with already low reproduction rate

The icecap may not be the only thing shrinking in the Arctic. The genitals of polar bears in east Greenland are apparently dwindling in size due to industrial pollutants.

Scientists report this shrinkage could, in the worst case scenario, endanger polar bears there and elsewhere by spoiling their love lives and causing their numbers to diminish.

In fact, all marine mammals could get affected by these pollutants, "especially the Arctic fox, killer whale and pilot whales," wildlife veterinarian and toxicologist Christian Sonne at the National Environmental Research Institute of Denmark in Roskilde told LiveScience. These animals bodies also carry extremely high levels of these contaminants.

Polar bears from northernmost Norway, western Russia and east Greenland are among the most polluted animals in the Arctic, as they feast on ringed seals and bearded seals. The blubber of these seals accumulates high levels of organic pollutants loaded with halogens such as chlorine. These organohalogens can act like hormones.

Sonne and his colleagues looked at formaldehyde-preserved genitals from 55 male and 44 female east Greenland polar bears, collected from 1999 to 2002 by about 30 polar bear subsistence hunters regulated by the Greenland government.

The adult polar bear testicles the researchers examined were on average roughly three inches across and 1.8 ounces in weight, although they could dramatically enlarge during the height of sexual activity from January to July. Their bacula, or penis bones, were on average nearly seven inches long.

The scientists found the higher the level of organohalogens in polar bear, the smaller testicle and baculum size and weight likely were. Ovary size and weight decreased as organohalogen levels rose as well.

Slow to mate
Polar bears have among the lowest reproductive rates for terrestrial mammals. The scientists say reducing polar bear penis size would make sex less successful, upsetting naturally slow-to-grow polar bear numbers. Testicle and ovary shrinkage would upset polar bear reproduction too.

Future research should examine the effects of low levels of organohalogen contamination, Sonne said. "How long do we have to go down in exposure levels to obtain no-effect levels? Is it possible at all?" he explained.

Sonne and his colleagues reported their findings online Aug. 16 via the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14485634/

[spazlabz]

spaz

[MyNameIsNobody]

I haven't noticed anything.. I'll shave and measure mine tomorrow morning and let you guys know!

[donross]

damn, maybe we should start spamming here in GFY to be responsible and avoid polluting our environment... now polar bears... tomorrow humans..

[ne0]

Jesus, that's something i couldnt die without knowing

[mikeyddddd]

Are they sure it's not shrinkage from the cold water?

[Dirty Dane]

Its ironic that the ones whining about a minority of people killing and eating animals for survival and within a controlled rate that does not affect the population of the species, they pollute the same animals to death. It does not help much to throw some hundred millions in to save Willy, if you don't have the brain to see the big picture.
Maybe Kyoto will be signed if the waves hit Manhattan

[Sinstar]

Originally Posted by mikeyddddd

Are they sure it's not shrinkage from the cold water?

LOL