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Galli FS, Mollari M, Tassinari V, Alimonti C, Ubaldi A, Cuva C, Marcoccia D. Overview of human health effects related to glyphosate exposure. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1474792. [PMID: 39359637 PMCID: PMC11445186 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1474792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate is a chemical compound derived from glycine, marketed as a broad-spectrum herbicide, and represents one of the most widely used pesticides in the world. For a long time, it was assumed that glyphosate was harmless, either due to its selective enzymatic acting method on plants, and because commercial formulations were believed to contain only inert chemicals. Glyphosate is widely spread in the environment, the general population is daily exposed to it via different routes, including the consumption of both plant, and non-plant based foods. Glyphosate has been detected in high amounts in workers' urine, but has been detected likewise in bodily fluids, such as blood and maternal milk, and also in 60%-80% of general population, including children. Considering its massive presence, daily exposure to glyphosate could be considered a health risk for humans. Indeed, in 2015, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified glyphosate and its derivatives in Group 2A, as probable human carcinogens. In 2022, nevertheless, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) stated that the available data did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the mutagenic/carcinogenic effects of glyphosate. Therefore, the European Commission (EC) decided to renew the approval of glyphosate for another 10 years. The purpose of this review is to examine the scientific literature, focusing on potential risks to human health arising from exposure to glyphosate, its metabolites and its commercial products (e.g., Roundup®), with particular regard to its mutagenic and carcinogenic potential and its effects as endocrine disrupter (ED) especially in the human reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Silvia Galli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Mollari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Tassinari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristian Alimonti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ubaldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Cuva
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcoccia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy
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Almirón A, Lorenz V, Varayoud J, Durando M, Milesi MM. Perinatal Exposure to Glyphosate or a Commercial Formulation Alters Uterine Mechanistic Pathways Associated with Implantation Failure in Rats. TOXICS 2024; 12:590. [PMID: 39195693 PMCID: PMC11358895 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12080590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) or its active ingredient, glyphosate (Gly), has been demonstrated to increase implantation failure in rats. This study investigates potential mechanisms of action, analyzing uterine preparation towards the receptive state. Pregnant Wistar rats (F0) were treated orally with GBH or Gly (3.8 and 3.9 mg Gly/kg/day, respectively) from gestational day (GD) 9 until weaning. Adult F1 females became pregnant and uterine samples were collected on GD5 (preimplantation period). Histomorphological uterine parameters were assessed. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate cell proliferation and protein expression of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), cell cycle regulators (PTEN, cyclin G1, p27, and IGF1R-α), and the Wnt5a/β-catenin/FOXA2/Lif pathway. Both GBH and Gly females showed increased stromal proliferation, associated with a high expression of ERs. Dysregulation of PTEN and cyclin G1 was also observed in the Gly group. Reduced gland number was observed in both groups, along with decreased expression of Wnt5a/β-catenin/FOXA2/Lif pathway in the glandular epithelium. Overall, GBH and Gly perinatal exposure disrupted intrinsic uterine pathways involved in endometrial proliferation and glandular function, providing a plausible mechanism for glyphosate-induced implantation failure by compromising uterine receptivity. Similar effects between GBH and Gly suggest the active principle mainly drives the adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailín Almirón
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina; (A.A.)
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Virginia Lorenz
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina; (A.A.)
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina; (A.A.)
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Milena Durando
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina; (A.A.)
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina; (A.A.)
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
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Popradit A, Nakhokwik Y, Robischon M, Saiki ST, Yoshimura J, Wanasiri A, Ishida A. Soil degradation and herbicide pollution by repeated cassava monoculture within Thailand's conservation region. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308284. [PMID: 39106244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In a national park in Northeast Thailand, agricultural land has been converted from natural forest by small-scale farmers for cassava agriculture. We hypothesise that long-termed cassava monoculture leads to the degradation of soil properties. To test the hypothesis, we conducted a five-year (2016-2020) study on the physical and chemical properties of soil in cassava farmland, and also examined the soil properties of its adjacent natural forests, as a control. The examined cassava farmland was converted from the natural forest during the five years from 2011 to 2015. The significant decrease in organic carbon and the increases in exchangeable potassium and bulk density were found in 2016, indicating that these soil properties varied quickly following the farmland conversion. On the other hand, the significant increase in soil nitrogen and the decrease in pH were found later in 2020, indicating that these soil properties were gradually altered by repeated agricultural activities, such as fertilizer application and trampling. In contrast, there were no significant differences in available phosphate, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and the soil texture (the fractions of sand, silt, and clay) among the forest and farmland soils. The cation exchange capacity was positively correlated to the fraction of clay, the organic carbon, and pH. The use of glyphosate and paraquat herbicides is prohibited within national parks in Thailand. However, in 2020, glyphosate was detected in farmland soil (up to 5.0 mg kg-1) during both the rainy and dry seasons, and glyphosate (up to 2.5 mg l-1) was detected in stream water from the farmland during the dry season at least in 2020. Soil degradation and herbicide pollution may carry a high risk of causing irreversible changes in terrestrial ecosystems. We discuss the root causes of this issue from perspectives of agricultural production, economy, and the environmental impact, and propose effective policy measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Popradit
- Doctor of Philosophy Program in Environmental Studies, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Under Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Yutthana Nakhokwik
- Doctor of Philosophy Program in Environmental Studies, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Under Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Marcel Robischon
- Department of Agroecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Albrecht Daniel Thaer Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shin-Taro Saiki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsuno-sato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jin Yoshimura
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
- The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Arichai Wanasiri
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ban Kho Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu, Thailand
| | - Atsushi Ishida
- Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga, Japan
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Guerrero Schimpf M, Milesi MM, Zanardi MV, Varayoud J. Disruption of developmental programming with long-term consequences after exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide in a rat model. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 159:112695. [PMID: 34813928 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have been associated with endocrine disrupting effects on reproductive organs. We examined whether postnatal exposure to GBH affects developmental programming of the uterus with long-term consequences. Female Wistar pups received vehicle (control) or GBH (2 mg of glyphosate/kg/day) from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND7, where the developing uterus is highly sensitive to endocrine disruption. Short-, mid- and long-term effects were evaluated on PND8, PND120 and PND600, respectively. GBH induced hyperplasia and epigenetic alterations in the uterus of neonatal females (PND8). DNA hypermethylation, enrichment of H3K9me3 and reductions of H3K27me3 at regulatory regions of the morphoregulatory gene Hoxa10 resulted in gene downregulation. In young adult females (PND120), GBH increased 17β-estradiol (E2) and decreased progesterone (P4) serum levels, altering estrous cyclicity. Aged females (PND600) exposed to GBH developed leiomyoma and pre-neoplastic glandular lesions in the uterus. Vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma and intrahepatic bile duct adenoma were also observed. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to GBH altered the expression and induced hypermethylation of the Hoxa10 gene in uterine tissue at early life, and increased E2/P4 ratio serum level at middle-age. We propose that epigenetic reprogramming of Hoxa10 in association with hormonal imbalance could be among the possible mechanisms underlying the long-term adverse effects detected in GBH-exposed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlise Guerrero Schimpf
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - María M Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Zanardi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Milesi MM, Lorenz V, Durando M, Rossetti MF, Varayoud J. Glyphosate Herbicide: Reproductive Outcomes and Multigenerational Effects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:672532. [PMID: 34305812 PMCID: PMC8293380 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.672532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate base herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely applied pesticides in the world and are mainly used in association with GBH-tolerant crop varieties. Indiscriminate and negligent use of GBHs has promoted the emergence of glyphosate resistant weeds, and consequently the rise in the use of these herbicides. Glyphosate, the active ingredient of all GBHs, is combined with other chemicals known as co-formulants that enhance the herbicide action. Nowadays, the safety of glyphosate and its formulations remain to be a controversial issue, as evidence is not conclusive whether the adverse effects are caused by GBH or glyphosate, and little is known about the contribution of co-formulants to the toxicity of herbicides. Currently, alarmingly increased levels of glyphosate have been detected in different environmental matrixes and in foodstuff, becoming an issue of social concern. Some in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that glyphosate and its formulations exhibit estrogen-like properties, and growing evidence has indicated they may disrupt normal endocrine function, with adverse consequences for reproductive health. Moreover, multigenerational effects have been reported and epigenetic mechanisms have been proved to be involved in the alterations induced by the herbicide. In this review, we provide an overview of: i) the routes and levels of human exposure to GBHs, ii) the potential estrogenic effects of glyphosate and GBHs in cell culture and animal models, iii) their long-term effects on female fertility and mechanisms of action, and iv) the consequences on health of successive generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Mercedes Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Virginia Lorenz
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Milena Durando
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Rossetti
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
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Rossetti MF, Canesini G, Lorenz V, Milesi MM, Varayoud J, Ramos JG. Epigenetic Changes Associated With Exposure to Glyphosate-Based Herbicides in Mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:671991. [PMID: 34093442 PMCID: PMC8177816 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.671991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate is a phosphonomethyl amino acid derivative present in a number of non-selective and systemic herbicides. During the last years the use of glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) has been increasing exponentially around the world, including Argentina. This fact added to the detection of glyphosate, and its main metabolite, amino methylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in environmental matrices such as soil, sediments, and food, has generated great concern about its risks for humans, animals, and environment. During the last years, there were controversy and intense debate regarding the toxicological effects of these compounds associated with the endocrine system, cancer, reproduction, and development. The mechanisms of action of GBH and their metabolites are still under investigation, although recent findings have shown that they could comprise epigenetic modifications. These are reversible mechanisms linked to tissue-specific silencing of gene expression, genomic imprinting, and tumor growth. Particularly, glyphosate, GBH, and AMPA have been reported to produce changes in global DNA methylation, methylation of specific genes, histone modification, and differential expression of non-coding RNAs in human cells and rodents. Importantly, the epigenome could be heritable and could lead to disease long after the exposure has ended. This mini-review summarizes the epigenetic changes produced by glyphosate, GBHs, and AMPA in humans and rodents and proposes it as a potential mechanism of action through which these chemical compounds could alter body functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Rossetti
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermina Canesini
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Patología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Virginia Lorenz
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge Guillermo Ramos
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Ingaramo P, Alarcón R, Muñoz-de-Toro M, Luque EH. Are glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides endocrine disruptors that alter female fertility? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110934. [PMID: 32659439 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Numerous evidences have alerted on the toxic effects of the exposure to glyphosate on living organisms. Glyphosate is the herbicide most used in crops such as maize and soybean worldwide, which implies that several non-target species are at a high risk of exposure. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-USA) has reaffirmed that glyphosate is safe for users, there are controversial studies that question this statement. Some of the reported effects are due to exposure to high doses; however, recent evidences have shown that exposure to low doses could also alter the development of the female reproductive tract, with consequences on fertility. Different animal models of exposure to glyphosate or glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have shown that the effects on the female reproductive tract may be related to the potential and/or mechanisms of actions of an endocrine-disrupting compound. Studies have also demonstrated that the exposure to GBHs alters the development and differentiation of ovarian follicles and uterus, affecting fertility when animals are exposed before puberty. In addition, exposure to GBHs during gestation could alter the development of the offspring (F1 and F2). The main mechanism described associated with the endocrine-disrupting effect of GBHs is the modulation of estrogen receptors and molecules involved in the estrogenic pathways. This review summarizes the endocrine-disrupting effects of exposure to glyphosate and GBHs at low or "environmentally relevant" doses in the female reproductive tissues. Data suggesting that, at low doses, GBHs may have adverse effects on the female reproductive tract fertility are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ingaramo
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Alarcón
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Mónica Muñoz-de-Toro
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Enrique H Luque
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente Del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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8
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Plewis I. Comment on response from Milesi et al. to 'Perinatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide impairs female reproductive outcomes and induces second-generation adverse effects in Wistar rats'. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:351-352. [PMID: 31853558 PMCID: PMC7311515 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Plewis
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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