THE REPRODUCTIVE DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY 17Α-ETHINYLESTRADIOL (EE2) IN FISH FOUND IN WATER BODIES OF UZBEKISTAN AND THEIR MITIGATION USING “FISHBOOST” (VITAMIN E + VITAMIN C + SELENIUM + PROBIOTICS)

Abstract

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen widely used in hormonal contraceptives, is increasingly detected in surface waters due to insufficient wastewater treatment. Even at nanogram-per-liter levels, EE2 acts as a powerful endocrine disruptor, altering hormone regulation and impairing reproductive capacity in fish. Documented effects include feminization of males, reduced gamete quality, decreased fertility, and long-term population decline. Considering the growing anthropogenic load on Uzbekistan’s aquatic ecosystems and the limited local data on endocrine-disrupting contaminants, evaluating EE2-induced reproductive toxicity and identifying feasible mitigation approaches is both ecologically and economically significant.