Atrazine which is a common weed killer is an endocrine disruptor, which means it interferes with animals’ reproductive systems. It’s one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world and is often detected in ground, surface, and drinking water
Atrazine can cause a variety of effects including:
Chemical castration: Atrazine can chemically castrate male frogs, reducing their testosterone levels and breeding gland size.
Feminization: Atrazine can feminize male frogs, causing them to develop female characteristics like ovaries and laryngeal development.
Hermaphrodites: Atrazine can cause tadpoles to develop both male and female gonads, resulting in hermaphrodites.
Single sex polygonadism: Atrazine can cause male frogs to develop multiple testes.
Reduced fertility: Atrazine can reduce spermatogenesis and fertility in male frogs.
Suppressed mating behavior: Atrazine can suppress mating behavior in male frogs.