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Facemire, C.F.; Guillette, L.J.
Reproductive impairment in the Florida panther: Are contaminants a factor?
1994 Conference Proceeding
Many of the remaining members of the endangered Florida panther (felis concolor coryi) population suffer from one or more of a variety of physiological, reproductive, endocrine system and immune system defects including congenital heart defects, abnormal sperm, low sperm density, cryptorchidism, thyroid dysfunction and possible immunosuppression. Mercury contamination, determined to be the cause of death of a female panther in 1989, was presented as the likely cause of thyroid dysfunction. However, exposure to a variety of chemical compounds, including mercury, has elicited all of the listed abnormalities in other species. A number of these contaminants are present in South Florida, an exposure pathway has been identified, and evidence of exposure and effect has been demonstrated. Thus, current evidence seems to indicate that environmental contaminants may be a major factor contributing to reproductive impairment in the Florida panther population.
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