Reproductive functions of wild fish as bioindicators of reproductive toxicants in the aquatic environment.

Background, Aim, And Scope: Impacts on the reproductive health of wild fish are thought to be suitable early-warning tools indicating contamination of surface waters with endocrine-disrupting compounds. Ecotoxicological assessment of these field observations depends on the availability of reliable biomarkers to enable a discrimination of natural variations of reproductive functions from anthropogenic impacts.

Materials And Methods: Roach and perch were caught at eight sampling sites by electrofishing twice a year in summer (July-September) and late autumn/winter (November-December) over a 2-year period.