Toxicological Effects of Roundup<sup>®</sup> on <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> Reproduction

Herbicide use has increased dramatically since 2001, particularly Roundup<sup>®</sup>. Effective in agricultural practice, Roundup<sup>®</sup> adversely affects non-target organisms, including reproductive and endocrine systems. We exposed fruit flies, <i>Drosophila mel...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kelly Muller, Karina Herrera, Becky Talyn, Erik Melchiorre
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Toxics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/9/7/161
Description
Summary:Herbicide use has increased dramatically since 2001, particularly Roundup<sup>®</sup>. Effective in agricultural practice, Roundup<sup>®</sup> adversely affects non-target organisms, including reproductive and endocrine systems. We exposed fruit flies, <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, to either Roundup<sup>®</sup> Ready to Use, containing pelargonic acid and glyphosate, or Roundup<sup>®</sup> Super Concentrate, that includes glyphosate and POEA, at sublethal concentrations. Both Roundup<sup>®</sup> formulations reduced ovary volume with fewer mature oocytes, most adversely at the highest concentration tested. Flies exposed within 2 h of eclosion were affected more than at 4 h, suggesting a critical period of increased ovarian sensitivity. These results support multi-species evidence that glyphosate-based herbicides interfere with normal development of the reproductive systems of non-target organisms.
ISSN:2305-6304