Males often have higher levels of POPs (but not mercury) than females. This is because females pass POPs on to their offspring during pregnancy and in their milk, which reduces their own POPs levels. ###>Les concentrations des POP (et non du mercure) sont souvent plus grandes chez les mâles; les femelles transmettent les POP à leurs petits durant la grossesse et l'allaitement, ce qui a pour effet de réduire leurs propres concentrations.