TNA Reporter

Scientists have discovered a worrying trend in 'shrinking' male sex organs in otters and warn it could start be affecting humans too.

According to the dailymail.co.uk, research conducted by the Cardiff University Otter Project has found a decrease in the size of penis bones in male otters along with other changes that gave 'cause for concern' about the size of sex organs.

Experts have also warned that the study could be behind similar problems in humans with increasing number of boys born with undescended testicles, sex organ malformation and reduced sperm counts.

'If we are to protect our wildlife, we need good information on the reproductive health of key species, Gwynne Lyons, director of the (CHEM) Trust said.

'These findings highlight that it is time to end the complacency about the effects of pollutants on male reproductive health.

'This is particularly as some of the effects reported in otters may be caused by the same EDCs that are suspected to contribute to the declining trends in men's reproductive health and cause testicular cancer, undescended testes and low sperm count.

'In reality humans and wildlife are exposed to a cocktail of many chemicals every day and some may be adding up to cause problems,' she added.

'Persistent organic pollutants were banned in the 1970s, but other chemicals, in current usage, are not yet being monitored in wildlife.'