4 days ago
Scientists discover sex reversal in Australian birds with cause unknown
A new study has found that about 5% of tested Australian birds have undergone a 'sex reversal'—meaning the birds' genetic sex did not match with their reproductive organs.
480 birds that had died after being admitted to wildlife hospitals in south-east Queensland were subjected to a DNA test and then a dissection.
It was revealed that nearly all of the 24 birds that had undergone this surprising 'sex reversal' were genetically female, but had developed male reproductive organs.
Although the cause of the phenomenon is still unknown, the discovery has left scientists worried about the potential impact that chemicals may be having on animals' hormones.
Professor Kate Buchanan—who studies evolutionary bird biology but wasn't a part of the study—told The Guardian, 'The most likely explanation of the masculinisation is some environmental stimulation, probably anthropogenic chemicals.'
Buchanan added that even if this masculinisation was reversible, 'it would probably knock them out of being reproductive.'
Still, experts remain cautious of the findings since the birds were not a random sample, but had been tested after already being admitted to wildlife hospitals.
Video transcript
A new study has revealed that about 5% of tested Australian birds have undergone sex reversal, meaning the birds' genetic sex did not match their reproductive organs.
Four hundred and eighty birds that had died after being admitted to wildlife hospitals in Southeast Queensland were subjected to a DNA test and then a dissection.
It was revealed that nearly all of the 24 birds that had undergone this surprising sex reversal were genetically female but had developed male reproductive organs.
Although the cause of the phenomenon is still unknown, the discovery has left scientists worried about the potential impact that chemicals may be having on animals' hormones.
Professor Kate Buchanan, who studies evolutionary bird biology but wasn't a part of the study, told The Guardian the most likely explanation.
of the masculinization is some environmental stimulation, probably anthropogenic chemicals.
Buchanan added that even if this masculinization was reversible, it would probably still knock them out of being reproductive.
Still, experts remain cautious of the findings since the birds were not a random sample, but had been tested after already being admitted to wildlife hospitals.
