Eggshell thinning as a re-emerging risk to bird populations: the potential role of chemical pollution

鸟类种群正面临包括化学污染在内的多重环境威胁。DDT在50多年前就被禁止了，因为它会使蛋壳变薄，导致鸟类数量减少。尽管有这些禁令，蛋壳变薄又重新成为环境问题，部分原因是新出现的污染物。例如，NSAIDs（非甾体抗炎药）可以通过与DDT相同的抑制途径阻断前列腺素的合成；这是至关重要的，因为在蛋壳形成过程中，需要前列腺素来从壳腺释放钙。现代合成的雌激素化合物也会损害蛋壳的形成。我们的团队有初步数据表明，一些英国鸟类的蛋壳变薄与孵化失败的增加有关。

Bird populations are at risk from multiple environmental threats including chemical pollution. DDT was banned over 50 years ago due to its role in eggshell thinning causing bird population declines.Despite these bans, eggshell thinning is re-emerging as an environmental issue partly due to novel emerging pollutants. For example, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can block synthesis of prostaglandin via the same inhibition pathway as DDT; this is critical as prostaglandin is required for release of calcium from the shell gland during eggshell formation.Modern synthetic estrogenic compounds can also impair eggshell formation. Our team has preliminary data that eggshell thinning in some UK bird populations is associated with increased hatching failure.