[Rats' reproductive function under toxic load against the background of protein deficiency]

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Reproductive Toxicology
• Animal Nutrition

Context:

• Russian Federation safety assessments for novel foods mandate in vivo reproductive toxicity tests.
• Current methods involve extensive parameter analysis, complicated by physiological fluctuations and heterogeneous data distribution.
• A need exists for more efficient and reliable reproductive toxicity testing models.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a reduced adaptive potential model in rats, induced by dietary protein restriction, for reproductive toxicity experiments.
• To determine if this model enhances the detection of adverse reproductive effects.

Summary:

• Rats (F0 and F1 generations) were subjected to a reduced protein diet and, in test groups, glyphosate herbicide exposure.
• Reproductive function and offspring development were assessed.
• The reduced protein diet did not significantly alter reproductive parameters or increase sensitivity to glyphosate, showing only minor changes in post-implantation loss and litter size.

Impact:

• The dietary protein restriction model did not improve the severity or reliability of reproductive toxicity test results.
• This model is not recommended for reproductive toxicity studies.
• The model may be suitable for subacute toxicological studies of low-toxicity substances, including novel food safety assessments.