Effect of the herbicide glyphosate on liver lipoperoxidation in pregnant rats and their fetuses

Reprod Toxicol. 2005 Mar-Apr;19(4):501-4. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2004.09.009.

Abstract

Glyphosate is a post-emergence herbicide that acts on the synthesis of amino acids and other endogenous metabolites in plants. It is commonly used in agriculture, forestry, and nurseries for the control or destruction of herbaceous plants. Metabolic processes during development and pregnancy could be sensitive to changes induced by glyphosate such as lipid peroxidation. The present study has investigated the effects that 1% glyphosate oral exposure has on lipoperoxidation and antioxidant enzyme systems in the maternal serum and liver of pregnant rats and their term fetuses at 21 days of gestation. The results suggest that excessive lipid peroxidation induced with glyphosate ingestion leads to an overload of maternal and fetal antioxidant defense systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fetal Development / drug effects*
  • Fetal Weight / drug effects
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycine / toxicity*
  • Glyphosate
  • Herbicides / toxicity*
  • Lipid Peroxidation*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / embryology
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glycine