Male plants reduced

Folmar, L.C., Denslow, N.D., Rao, V. et al. (1996). Vitellogenin induction and reduced serum testosterone concentrations in feral male carp (Cyprinus carpio) captured near a major metropohtan sewage treatment plant. Environmental Health Perspectives 104, 1096-1101. 

Depending upon the circumstance and desired effects, endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be either good or bad. The endocrine system is a finely balanced system responsible for fertility and many of the feminine and masculine traits we are all familiar with. Endocrine disruptors are used by millions of women in the form of the pill to control fertility. Chemicals in birth control pills subtly manipulate the endocrine system to reduce fertility. Unfortunately, we now know that many chemicals are capable of influencing the endocrine systems. When these chemicals, such as DDT and TCDD, are released into the environment, they reduce the fertility of wildlife. Exposure to endocrine disruptors is linked to decreased fertility in shellfish, fish, birds, and mammals. Endocrine disruptors such as nonylphenol have been shown to feminize male fish, interfering with reproduction. Some studies have also linked exposure to endocrine disruptors to decreases in human male sperm count. Ironically, urinary metabolites of the birth control pill as well as the female hormone estrogen pass through waste treatment plants and are released into the aquatic environment, where even small concentrations cause feminization of male fish. 

Anti-amoebic activity. Ethanol (80%) extract of the dried rhizome was inactive on Entamoeba histolytica, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) greater than 1 mg/ mL The extract, administered intragas-trically to male hamsters at a dose of 800 mg/kg, was active vs experimentally induced hepatic amebiasis . A dose of 250 mg/kg, administered intragastrically to rats on days 1-5, produced weak activity and a dose of 500 mg/kg was active " ". Anti-atherosclerotic activity. Ethanol (50%) extract of the dried rhizome, administered intragastrically to male rabbits at a dose of 500 mg/kg, reduced atherogenic index from 4.7 to 1.2 on the aorta . Antibacterial activity. Decoction of the dried entire plant, on agar plate, was inactive on Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis MIC 125 mg/mL. Bacillus subtilis, Bordetella... 

A study of workers occupationally exposed to coal tar creosote compared the concentration of 1-naphthol (a urinary metabolite of napthalene) in six workers from a creosote impregnation plant and five male smokers not occupationally exposed to creosote (Heikkila et al. 1997). Exposed workers wore gloves and cotton overalls to reduce dermal exposure to creosote, but did not wear respirators. The average concentrations of naphthalene in the workers air varied from 0.4 to 4.2 mg/m3. There was a poor correlation between the amount of naphthalene in the air and the concentration of PAHs. However, the concentration of 1-naphthol was consistently greater in exposed workers than in unexposed controls and was highest for exposed workers at the end of the work shift. There was a correlation of r=0.745 between the concentration of naphthalene in breathing zone air and urinary 1-naphthol concentrations at the end of the shift. 

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