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Home / Equine Research Bank / Arch Environ Contam Toxicol / Time- and dose-dependent effects of roundup on human embryon...
Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology2007; 53(1); 126-133; doi: 10.1007/s00244-006-0154-8

Time- and dose-dependent effects of roundup on human embryonic and placental cells.

Abstract: Roundup is the major herbicide used worldwide, in particular on genetically modified plants that have been designed to tolerate it. We have tested the toxicity and endocrine disruption potential of Roundup (Bioforce on human embryonic 293 and placental-derived JEG3 cells, but also on normal human placenta and equine testis. The cell lines have proven to be suitable to estimate hormonal activity and toxicity of pollutants. The median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Roundup with embryonic cells is 0.3% within 1 h in serum-free medium, and it decreases to reach 0.06% (containing among other compounds 1.27 mM glyphosate) after 72 h in the presence of serum. In these conditions, the embryonic cells appear to be 2-4 times more sensitive than the placental ones. In all instances, Roundup (generally used in agriculture at 1-2%, i.e., with 21-42 mM glyphosate) is more efficient than its active ingredient, glyphosate, suggesting a synergistic effect provoked by the adjuvants present in Roundup. We demonstrated that serum-free cultures, even on a short-term basis (1 h), reveal the xenobiotic impacts that are visible 1-2 days later in serum. We also document at lower non-overtly toxic doses, from 0.01% (with 210 microM glyphosate) in 24 h, that Roundup is an aromatase disruptor. The direct inhibition is temperature-dependent and is confirmed in different tissues and species (cell lines from placenta or embryonic kidney, equine testicular, or human fresh placental extracts). Furthermore, glyphosate acts directly as a partial inactivator on microsomal aromatase, independently of its acidity, and in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxic, and potentially endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup are thus amplified with time. Taken together, these data suggest that Roundup exposure may affect human reproduction and fetal development in case of contamination. Chemical mixtures in formulations appear to be underestimated regarding their toxic or hormonal impact.
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Publication Date: 2007-05-04 PubMed ID: 17486286DOI: 10.1007/s00244-006-0154-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The article explores the effect of Roundup, a globally-used herbicide, on human embryonic and placental cells. The results indicate negative impacts of the herbicide, with the potential to disrupt endocrine functions and affect human reproduction and fetal development.

Methodology

  • The researchers tested the toxicity and endocrine disruption potential of Roundup on human embryonic 293 and placental-derived JEG3 cells. They also extended their experiments on normal human placenta and equine testis.
  • The cell lines were used to estimate the hormonal activity and toxicity of the herbicide.
  • They calculated the median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Roundup with embryonic cells under varied conditions.

Key Findings

  • The researchers found that the LD(50) of Roundup with embryonic cells is 0.3% within 1 hour in serum-free medium, reducing to 0.06% after 72 hours in the presence of serum.
  • Embryonic cells were observed to be 2-4 times more sensitive to Roundup compared to placental ones.
  • Roundup was found to be more efficient than its active ingredient, glyphosate. This suggests a possible synergistic effect provoked by the additional components present in Roundup.

Implications of the Findings

  • The study suggests that Roundup, even in lower doses, is an aromatase disruptor. Aromatase inhibitors are known to impact hormone regulation.
  • They confirmed the direct inhibition by glyphosate on microsomal aromatase is temperature-dependent and dose-relative, and is seen across different tissues and species.
  • The cytotoxic and potentially endocrine-disrupting effects of Roundup are amplified with time. These results imply that exposure to Roundup may negatively affect human reproduction and fetal development if contamination occurs.
  • The study raises concerns about chemical mixtures in formulations like Roundup, suggesting they may pose underestimated risks regarding their toxic or hormonal impact.

Cite This Article

APA
Benachour N, Sipahutar H, Moslemi S, Gasnier C, Travert C, Séralini GE. (2007). Time- and dose-dependent effects of roundup on human embryonic and placental cells. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 53(1), 126-133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0154-8

Publication

Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology
ISSN: 0090-4341
NlmUniqueID: 0357245
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 126-133

Researcher Affiliations

Benachour, N
  • Laboratoire Estrogénes et Reproduction, USC-INRA, IBFA, Université de Caen, Caen, France.
Sipahutar, H
    Moslemi, S
      Gasnier, C
        Travert, C
          Séralini, G E

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Aromatase / metabolism
            • Aromatase Inhibitors / toxicity
            • Cell Line
            • Cell Line, Tumor
            • Cell Survival / drug effects
            • Glycine / analogs & derivatives
            • Glycine / toxicity
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Kidney / embryology
            • Kidney / enzymology
            • Male
            • Microsomes / enzymology
            • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
            • Placenta / enzymology
            • Testis / enzymology
            • Time Factors

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