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.