The challenge presented by progestins in ecotoxicological research: a critical review

Kumar, Vimal; Johnson, Andrew C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1570-3764; Trubiroha, Achim; Tumova, Jitka; Ihara, Masaru; Grabic, Roman; Kloas, Werner; Tanaka, Hiroaki; Kroupova, Hana Kocour. 2015 The challenge presented by progestins in ecotoxicological research: a critical review. Environmental Science & Technology, 49 (5). 2625-2638. 10.1021/es5051343

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Abstract/Summary

Around twenty progestins (also called gestagens, progestogens or progestagens) are used today in assisting a range of medical conditions from endometrial cancer to uterine bleeding and as an important component of oral contraception. These progestins can bind to a wide range of receptors including progesterone, estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid receptor, as well as sex hormone and corticosteroid binding globulins. It appear that only five of these (four synthetic and one natural) progestins have so far been studied in sewage effluent and surface waters. Analysis has reported values as either non-detects or low ng/L in effluents and rivers. Seven of the progestins have been examined for their effects on aquatic vertebrates (fish and frogs). The greatest concern is associated with levonorgestrel, norethisterone and gestodene and their ability to reduce egg production in fish at levels of 0.8-25 ng/L. The lack of measurements, and some of the contradictions in existing values, however, hampers our ability to make a risk assessment. When bioconcentration factors were modelled and the associated water concentration needed for reaching a human plasma therapeutic level in fish calculated, only a couple of ng/L of ethynodiol diacetate and desogestrel would be needed to achieve this. Nevertheless, the wide range of compounds, diverse receptor targets and the effect on fish reproduction at sub ng/L levels should prompt further research. The ability to impair female reproduction at very low concentrations make the progestins arguably the most important pharmaceutical group of concern after ethinylestradiol.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1021/es5051343
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Rees (from October 2014)
ISSN:	0013-936X
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology Chemistry
Date made live:	05 Mar 2015 12:20 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/509966

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