Chapter 46, Problem 10TYPSS

Summary Introduction

To review:

Testing of hypothesis that the herbicide atrazine is a feminizing agent in amphibians.

Introduction:

The endocrine disruptors are the chemical substances that interfere and hinder the normal functioning of the hormones. Atrazine, a herbicide, is one such chemical that leads to the development of feminine characteristics and sex change in the male frogs.

The testosterone is the main male sex hormone that regulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males. It is produced in females also, but in small quantities. Thus, the given study was conducted to test whether the herbicide has any effect on the male sex hormones, which would be responsible for feminization in male amphibians. The results of the study to test the hypothesis that atrazine (herbicide) is an endocrine disruptor that feminizes male amphibians are given below: