Analysis of the effects of Glyphosate and Roundup on Sertoli cell proliferation

Roundup (R), a formulation containing glyphosate (G) as active ingredient, has been proposed as an herbicide affecting male fertility. Acquiring an adequate Sertoli cell (SC) number during the proliferative periods is essential to the reproductive function and sperm production in adults. This study analyzed whether G and R affect SC proliferation and sperm production. In vitro experiments with SC cultures from 8-day-old rats show that R decreased FSH-stimulated BrdU incorporation, but G had no effect. In vivo studies in rats daily treated with R (50 mg/kg) from PND 3 to PND 7, period of maximal SC proliferation, show that R did not alter BrdU incorporation. In adult male rats that had received R treatment from PND 3 to PND 14 daily sperm production (DSP) was not altered. In summary, R treatment in early stages of life does not alter Sertoli cell proliferation in immature animals or DSP in adult animals.