Weed killer found to give male frogs extra sex organs

Phila. Daily News/AP ^ | April 16 2002 | Associated Press

[Fintan]

WASHINGTON - Male frogs exposed to even very low doses of a common weed killer can develop multiple sex organs - sometimes both male and female - researchers in California have discovered.

"I was very much surprised," at the impact of atrazine on developing frogs, said Tyrone B. Hayes of the University of California at Berkeley.

Atrazine is the most commonly used weed killer in North America, he said, and can be found in rainwater, snow runoff and ground water.

The Environmental Protection Agency permits up to 3 parts per billion of atrazine in drinking water. Hayes' team found it affected frogs at doses as small as 0.1 part per billion.

Hayes' research team concluded that the effect on the frogs results from atrazine causing cells to produce tan enzyme which converts the male hormone testosterone to the female hormone estrogen.

Their research is reported in today's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Might atrazine also be a threat to people at low levels? Hayes said he didn't know, adding that, unlike frogs: "We're not in the water all the time. I'm not saying it's safe for humans. I'm not saying its unsafe for humans. All I'm saying is it that it makes hermaphrodites of frogs," he said.

 

[Fintan]

And how does your garden grow?

[TomServo]

"We're not in the water all the time. I'm not saying it's safe for humans. I'm not saying its unsafe for humans. All I'm saying is it that it makes hermaphrodites of frogs,"

And Janet Reno.

[RightOnline]

"Why yes, honey.........yes, um-hmm......yep.......yeah, the yard looks just terrific. Yep yep yep. Now that the green areas are so weed-free, there's.......um.........something I'd better show you. Think you better sit down."

[tacticalogic]

I wonder if this could lead to a whole new species - the Really Horny Toad.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Don't y'all go getting any ideas about testing this on yourselves...

[Slyfox]

How long will it be before we are inundated on the radio with the herbal equivalent for men?

[skeeter]

So, I should make Roundup pay for my nose job?

[ValerieUSA]

Do you really think it will sell?

Hayes' research team concluded that the effect on the frogs results from atrazine causing cells to produce tan enzyme which converts the male hormone testosterone to the female hormone estrogen.

[Slyfox]

Hey, some guys would do anything for bigger and better. At least, that's what I infer from the radio ads - ad nauseum.

[Texaggie79]

One gets me in enough trouble as it is.

[glaseatr]

Ya know sometimes I wish I was a frog so I could go f---myself. LOL /sarcasm

[Lil'freeper]

How long do we have to wait for a BILL CLINTON reference to appear on this thread? ;)

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Are you saying that Bill Clinton has the sex organs of a frog?

[breakem]

Do they have one that just lengthens it? Curious for scientific purposes only.

[Lil'freeper]

That is the impression Paula gave us. ;)

[geaux]

Green and slimy? Possibly airtight?

[Revolting cat!]

Atrazine is the most commonly used weed killer in North America, he said, and can be found in rainwater, snow runoff and ground water.

You know when I was a child back in Elbonia, we didn't have indoor plumbing and we had to collect rainwater, which is nice and soft in case you wondered, and we used it the same way as citizens of advanced societies use tap water. But this news goes a long way to finally explain everything.

[gitmo]

I've been telling my wife I got it from a toilet seat.