Toxicological Effects of Roundup^® on Drosophila melanogaster Reproduction

Herbicide use has increased dramatically since 2001, particularly Roundup^®. Effective in agricultural practice, Roundup^® adversely affects non-target organisms, including reproductive and endocrine systems. We exposed fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, to either Roundup^® Ready to Use, containing pelargonic acid and glyphosate, or Roundup^® Super Concentrate, that includes glyphosate and POEA, at sublethal concentrations. Both Roundup^® 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.