Low Level Chronic Glyphosate Harms in Fetal Development and Reproductive Toxicity

Written by Robert W Malone MD, MS on . Posted in Current News

How bad can it be?

As I have written about before, glyphosate (Round-up) and other herbicides are sprayed on almost all of our commercial grains, legumes, and seed oil crops to kill the plants all at once, thus making the processing much easier.

These desiccants, as they are called, are found in trace amounts in our commercial grains and seed oils as well as legumes. That means in our breads, flours, crackers, cookies, cakes and snack foods that are not labelled organic will most likely contain glyphosates.

You know, pretty much all of the food found on the inside aisles of our grocery stores. This use of glyphosate as a desiccant is relatively new.

The chart below speaks for itself, with corn, soybeans, and wheat using most of the administered glyphosate product.

Of course, round-up-ready soybeans, corn, and wheat have also increased glyphosate usage. Elevated weed resistance to glyphosate has also driven substantial increases in usage.

Big Ag screams that they couldn’t possibly do without this chemical to grow food. But one has to wonder what they did before glyphosate became a farming staple.

This is all beside the point.

About 300 million pounds of glyphosate are used in the USA yearly, representing a 300-fold increase in agricultural use from 1974 to 2014.

Over the past five years, the number of peer-reviewed papers documenting real harms has also grown exponentially.

Below are some of the prior glyphosate articles we have written;

Our health, our children’s health, our generational health and yes, our environment keeps worsening, as the peer-reviewed articles just keep piling up documenting the damages done.

We have put together a list of over 200 peer-reviewed papers on the harms.

These have been broken out into categories:

  • Cancer
  • Epidemiology
  • Fertility, pregnancy and reproductive harms
  • Gut/inflammation
  • Neurologic damage/ Autism
  • Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
  • Obesity
  • Organ damage/Other
  • Animals/Environment

A series of future Substacks will cover these categories in more detail. Frankly, the amount of literature is overwhelming.

Below are 45 peer-reviewed papers on the harms done by low-level glyphosate exposure to the reproductive system, semen quality (and quantity), and harms done to developing fetuses – including multigenerational effects (damage to the F2 generation – whose grandparents were exposed to glyphosate).

Many of these studies assess damage to human subjects from large data sets and clinical trials; these papers are indicated in bold font below.

If you have family or friends trying to conceive or who might be considering starting a family, please share this substack.

It may change their lives for the better.

Antonine, B., Guillaume, M., Philippe, D., & Marie-Helene, P. (2022). Low concentrations of glyphosate alone affect the pubertal male rat meiotic step: An in vitro study. Toxicol In Vitro, 79, 105291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105291

Barbosa, A., Oliveira, M. C., Kuhn-Fraga, C., Ribeiro, L. F. C., Balbo, S. L., & Torrejais, M. M. (2021). Study of muscle fibers of the extensor digitorium longus and soleus muscles of C57BL/6 females exposed to glyphosate during pregnancy and lactation. Einstein (Sao Paulo), 19, eAO5657. https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2021AO5657

Cao, M., Wang, Y., Yang, F., Li, J., & Qin, X. (2021). Melatonin rescues the reproductive toxicity of low-dose glyphosate-based herbicide during mouse oocyte maturation via the GPER signaling pathway. J Pineal Res, 70(3), e12718. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12718

Cattani, D., Pierozan, P., Zamoner, A., Brittebo, E., & Karlsson, O. (2023). Long-Term Effects of Perinatal Exposure to a Glyphosate-Based Herbicide on Melatonin Levels and Oxidative Brain Damage in Adult Male Rats. Antioxidants (Basel), 12(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12101825

Cattani, D., Struyf, N., Steffensen, V., Bergquist, J., Zamoner, A., Brittebo, E., & Andersson, M. (2021). Perinatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide causes dysregulation of dynorphins and an increase of neural precursor cells in the brain of adult male rats. Toxicology, 461, 152922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2021.152922

Chitolina, R., Nicola, P., Sachett, A., Bevilaqua, F., Cunico, L., Reginatto, A., Bertoncello, K., Marins, K., Zanatta, A. P., Medeiros, M., Lima, A. S., Parisotto, C., Menegatt, J. C. O., Goetten, A. F., Zimermann, F. C., Ramos, A. T., Portela, V. M., Barreta, M. H., Conterato, G. M. M., & Zanatta, L. (2023). Subacute exposure to Roundup(R) changes steroidogenesis and gene expression of the glutathione-glutaredoxin system in rat ovaries: Implications for ovarian toxicity of this glyphosate-based herbicide. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 473, 116599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2023.116599

Cirstea, A. E., Docea, A. O., Cercelaru, L., Drocas, A. I., Mesnage, R., Marginean, C., Marinas, C., Diaconu, M., Golokhvast, K. S., Mitrut, R., Antoniou, M. N., Tsatsakis, A., & Calina, D. (2024). Changes in Rat Mammary Tissue Architecture Following Pregnancy/Lactation Exposure to Glyphosate Alone or with 2,4-D and Dicamba. Curr Health Sci J, 50(1), 94-105. https://doi.org/10.12865/CHSJ.50.01.13

de Araujo-Ramos, A. T., Passoni, M. T., Romano, M. A., Romano, R. M., & Martino-Andrade, A. J. (2021). Controversies on Endocrine and Reproductive Effects of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides: A Mini-Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 627210. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.627210

Ebid, H., & Trombetta, L. D. (2023). Effects of glyphosate, mancozeb and their combinations on mouse neuroblastoma cells. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 104, 104302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2023.104302

Fu, H., Gao, F., Wang, X., Tan, P., Qiu, S., Shi, B., & Shan, A. (2021). Effects of glyphosate-based herbicide-contaminated diets on reproductive organ toxicity and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis hormones in weaned piglets. Environ Pollut, 272, 115596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115596

Gallegos, C. E., Bartos, M., Bras, C., Gumilar, F., Antonelli, M. C., & Minetti, A. (2016). Exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide during pregnancy and lactation induces neurobehavioral alterations in rat offspring. Neurotoxicology, 53, 20-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2015.11.015

Geier, D. A., & Geier, M. R. (2023). Urine glyphosate exposure and serum sex hormone disruption within the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES). Chemosphere, 316, 137796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137796

Gerona, R. R., Reiter, J. L., Zakharevich, I., Proctor, C., Ying, J., Mesnage, R., Antoniou, M., & Winchester, P. D. (2022). Glyphosate exposure in early pregnancy and reduced fetal growth: a prospective observational study of high-risk pregnancies. Environ Health, 21(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-022-00906-3

Gomez, A. L., Altamirano, G. A., Alcaraz, M. R., Montemurro, M., Schierano-Marotti, G., Oddi, S. L., Culzoni, M. J., Munoz-de-Toro, M., Bosquiazzo, V. L., & Kass, L. (2023). Mammary gland development in male rats perinatally exposed to propiconazole, glyphosate, or their mixture. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 101, 104184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2023.104184

Guerrero Schimpf, M., Milesi, M. M., Ingaramo, P. I., Luque, E. H., & Varayoud, J. (2017). Neonatal exposure to a glyphosate based herbicide alters the development of the rat uterus. Toxicology, 376, 2-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2016.06.004

Gungor, S., Kirikkulak, M., Denk, B., Gulhan, M. F., Gules, O., Budak, D., Inanc, M. E., Avdatek, F., Yeni, D., & Tasdemir, U. (2024). Potential Protective Effect of Hesperidin (Vitamin P) against Glyphosate-Induced Spermatogenesis Damage in Male Rats: Biochemical and Histopathological Findings on Reproductive Parameters. Life (Basel), 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091190

Ingaramo, P., Alarcon, R., Munoz-de-Toro, M., & Luque, E. H. (2020). Are glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides endocrine disruptors that alter female fertility? Mol Cell Endocrinol, 518, 110934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2020.110934

Ingaramo, P. I., Varayoud, J., Milesi, M. M., Schimpf, M. G., Munoz-de-Toro, M., & Luque, E. H. (2016). Effects of neonatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide on female rat reproduction. Reproduction, 152(5), 403-415. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-16-0171

Jarrell, Z. R., Ahammad, M. U., & Benson, A. P. (2020). Glyphosate-based herbicide formulations and reproductive toxicity in animals. Vet Anim Sci, 10, 100126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2020.100126

Kaboli Kafshgiri, S., Farkhondeh, T., & Miri-Moghaddam, E. (2022). Glyphosate effects on the female reproductive systems: a systematic review. Rev Environ Health, 37(4), 487-500. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2021-0029

Kogevinas, M. (2021). Glyphosate Exposure during Pregnancy and Preterm Birth (More Research Is Needed). Environ Health Perspect, 129(5), 51301. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9428

Lesseur, C., Pirrotte, P., Pathak, K. V., Manservisi, F., Mandrioli, D., Belpoggi, F., Panzacchi, S., Li, Q., Barrett, E. S., Nguyen, R. H. N., Sathyanarayana, S., Swan, S. H., & Chen, J. (2021). Maternal urinary levels of glyphosate during pregnancy and anogenital distance in newborns in a US multicenter pregnancy cohort. Environ Pollut, 280, 117002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117002

Liu, J. B., Chen, K., Li, Z. F., Wang, Z. Y., & Wang, L. (2022). Glyphosate-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis facilitates male reproductive toxicity in rats. Sci Total Environ, 805, 150368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150368

Liu, J. B., Li, Z. F., Lu, L., Wang, Z. Y., & Wang, L. (2022). Glyphosate damages blood-testis barrier via NOX1-triggered oxidative stress in rats: Long-term exposure as a potential risk for male reproductive health. Environ Int, 159, 107038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.107038

Lu, L., Lian, C. Y., Lv, Y. T., Zhang, S. H., Wang, L., & Wang, L. (2024). Glyphosate drives autophagy-dependent ferroptosis to inhibit testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells. Sci Total Environ, 914, 169927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169927

Lu, L., Liu, J. B., Wang, J. Q., Lian, C. Y., Wang, Z. Y., & Wang, L. (2022). Glyphosate-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species overproduction activates parkin-dependent mitophagy to inhibit testosterone synthesis in mouse leydig cells. Environ Pollut, 314, 120314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120314

Mazuryk, J., Klepacka, K., Kutner, W., & Sharma, P. S. (2024). Glyphosate: Hepatotoxicity, Nephrotoxicity, Hemotoxicity, Carcinogenicity, and Clinical Cases of Endocrine, Reproductive, Cardiovascular, and Pulmonary System Intoxication. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci, 7(5), 1205-1236. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.4c00046

Milesi, M. M., Lorenz, V., Durando, M., Rossetti, M. F., & Varayoud, J. (2021). Glyphosate Herbicide: Reproductive Outcomes and Multigenerational Effects. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 672532. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.672532

Mohammadi, K., Sani, M. A., Safaei, P., Rahmani, J., Molaee-Aghaee, E., & Jafari, S. M. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of glyphosate on the reproductive hormones. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 29(41), 62030-62041. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16145-x

Mutwedu, V. B., Nyongesa, A. W., Azine, P. C., Chiregereza, D. K., Ngoumtsop, V. H., Mugumaarhahama, Y., & Ayagirwe, R. B. B. (2021). Growth performance and reproductive function impairment of glyphosate-based herbicide in male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Vet Med Sci, 7(3), 1047-1055. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.443

Ojiro, R., Ozawa, S., Zou, X., Tang, Q., Woo, G. H., & Shibutani, M. (2024). Similar toxicity potential of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicide on cerebellar development after maternal exposure in rats. Environ Toxicol, 39(5), 3040-3054. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.24163

Parvez, S., Gerona, R. R., Proctor, C., Friesen, M., Ashby, J. L., Reiter, J. L., Lui, Z., & Winchester, P. D. (2018). Glyphosate exposure in pregnancy and shortened gestational length: a prospective Indiana birth cohort study. Environ Health, 17(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0367-0

Sanin, L. H., Carrasquilla, G., Solomon, K. R., Cole, D. C., & Marshall, E. J. (2009). Regional differences in time to pregnancy among fertile women from five Colombian regions with different use of glyphosate. J Toxicol Environ Health A, 72(15-16), 949-960. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287390902929691

Schneider, M. I., Sanchez, N., Pineda, S., Chi, H., & Ronco, A. (2009). Impact of glyphosate on the development, fertility and demography of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): ecological approach. Chemosphere, 76(10), 1451-1455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.05.029

Serra, L., Estienne, A., Vasseur, C., Froment, P., & Dupont, J. (2021). Review: Mechanisms of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Action in Female and Male Fertility in Humans and Animal Models. Cells, 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10113079

Spinaci, M., Nerozzi, C., Tamanini, C. L., Bucci, D., & Galeati, G. (2020). Glyphosate and its formulation Roundup impair pig oocyte maturation. Sci Rep, 10(1), 12007. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68813-6

Tajai, P., Pruksakorn, D., Chattipakorn, S. C., Chattipakorn, N., & Shinlapawittayatorn, K. (2023). Effects of glyphosate-based herbicides and glyphosate exposure on sex hormones and the reproductive system: From epidemiological evidence to mechanistic insights. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 102, 104252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2023.104252

Teleken, J. L., Gomes, E. C. Z., Marmentini, C., Moi, M. B., Ribeiro, R. A., Balbo, S. L., Amorim, E. M. P., & Bonfleur, M. L. (2020). Glyphosate-based herbicide exposure during pregnancy and lactation malprograms the male reproductive morphofunction in F1 offspring. J Dev Orig Health Dis, 11(2), 146-153. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2040174419000382

Valente, L. C., de Matos Manoel, B., Reis, A. C. C., Stein, J., Jorge, B. C., Barbisan, L. F., Romualdo, G. R., & Arena, A. C. (2024). A mixture of glyphosate and 2,4-D herbicides enhances the deleterious reproductive outcomes induced by Western diet in obese male mice. Environ Toxicol, 39(1), 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.23937

Yousef, M. I., Salem, M. H., Ibrahim, H. Z., Helmi, S., Seehy, M. A., & Bertheussen, K. (1995). Toxic effects of carbofuran and glyphosate on semen characteristics in rabbits. J Environ Sci Health B, 30(4), 513-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601239509372951

Zanardi, M. V., Gastiazoro, M. P., Rossetti, M. F., Dona, F., Lazzarino, G. P., Zierau, O., Varayoud, J., & Durando, M. (2024). Glyphosate-based herbicide worsens alterations induced by cafeteria diet on rat uterus. J Endocrinol, 261(3). https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-24-0071

Zhang, J. W., Xu, D. Q., & Feng, X. Z. (2019). The toxic effects and possible mechanisms of glyphosate on mouse oocytes. Chemosphere, 237, 124435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124435

Zhao, L., Zhang, J., Yang, L., Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., Gao, D., Jiang, H., Li, Y., Dong, H., Ma, T., Wang, X., Wu, M., Wang, A., Jin, Y., Yuan, Y., & Chen, H. (2021). Glyphosate exposure attenuates testosterone synthesis via NR1D1 inhibition of StAR expression in mouse Leydig cells. Sci Total Environ, 785, 147323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147323

In conclusion, please consider buying organic produce and grains whenever possible. Even if it means a significant change in diet. Avoid processed foods and eat out as little as possible – health starts at home.

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