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

鸟类种群面临包括化学污染在内的多种环境威胁。50多年前，由于DDT会导致蛋壳变薄导致鸟类数量下降而被禁止。尽管有这些禁令，但由于新出现的污染物，蛋壳变薄正重新成为一个环境问题。例如，非类固醇抗炎药(NSAIDs)可以通过与DDT相同的抑制途径阻止前列腺素的合成；这一点至关重要，因为在蛋壳形成过程中，需要前列腺素从壳腺释放钙。现代合成雌激素化合物也可以损害蛋壳的形成。我们的团队有初步数据表明，一些英国鸟类种群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.