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Glyphosate and Roundup® alter morphology and behavior in zebrafish
Daiane Bridi1, Stefani Altenhofen2, Jonas Brum Gonzalez2
1Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Toxicology
|October 17, 2017
Summary
This study shows that glyphosate and Roundup herbicide alter zebrafish behavior and morphology. Both reduced aggressive behavior, with Roundup impairing adult memory and glyphosate affecting larval ocular distance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Neurobehavioral toxicology
- Aquatic toxicology
Background:
- Glyphosate is the world's most used herbicide, often in Roundup formulations containing undisclosed adjuvants.
- Widespread herbicide use raises concerns for human health and environmental contamination.
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a valuable model for toxicological studies due to their rapid development and mammalian physiological similarities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and morphological effects of glyphosate and Roundup on zebrafish.
- To compare the toxicity profiles of glyphosate alone versus its formulation in Roundup.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish larvae and adults were exposed to varying concentrations of glyphosate or Roundup for 96 hours.
- Evaluated locomotor activity, aversive behavior, morphology in larvae.
- Assessed exploratory behavior, aggression, and memory in adults.
Main Results:
- Both glyphosate and Roundup significantly altered larval locomotor and aversive behaviors.
- Adult zebrafish exposed to glyphosate (0.5 mg/L) or Roundup (0.065, 0.5 mg/L) showed reduced movement.
- Roundup (0.5 mg/L) impaired adult zebrafish memory, and both herbicides reduced aggressive behavior. Glyphosate (0.5 mg/L) decreased larval ocular distance.
Conclusions:
- Glyphosate and Roundup exhibit distinct yet overlapping toxicological effects on zebrafish morphology and behavior.
- The findings suggest common underlying toxicity mechanisms for glyphosate and its formulation.
- Further research is warranted to understand the specific roles of adjuvants in Roundup's toxicity.