Monsanto’s Best-Selling Herbicide Roundup Linked to Infertility

Numerous studies have found that the chemical glyphosate, found in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, may be responsible for causing infertility. Much like BPA, glyphosate-based herbicides have the ability to interfere with the natural hormonal balance in the human body, thereby introducing a number of health risks along with even the smallest levels of exposure.

In one study, researchers tested Roundup on mature male rats at a concentration range between 1 and 10,000 parts per million (ppm), and found that within 1 to 48 hours of exposure, testicular cells of the mature rats were either damaged or killed. 

According to the study, even at a concentration of 1 ppm, the Roundup was able to affect the test subjects by decreasing their testosterone concentrations by as much as 35%. Note that the study was in vitro.

The study says:

• “Here we tested glyphosate and its formulation on mature rat fresh testicular cells from 1 to 10000ppm, thus from the range in some human urine and in environment to agricultural levels.
• We show that from 1 to 48h of Roundup exposure Leydig cells are damaged.
• Within 24-48h this formulation is also toxic on the other cells, mainly by necrosis, by contrast to glyphosate alone which is essentially toxic on Sertoli cells.
• Later, it also induces apoptosis at higher doses in germ cells and in Sertoli/germ cells co-cultures.
• At lower non toxic concentrations of Roundup and glyphosate (1ppm), the main endocrine disruption is a testosterone decrease by 35%. The pesticide has thus an endocrine impact at very low environmental doses, but only a high contamination appears to provoke an acute rat testicular toxicity.
• This does not anticipate the chronic toxicity which is insufficiently tested, and only with glyphosate in regulatory tests.”

How can such small levels of exposure have such a profound effect on the reproductive system? Roundup, being a glyphosate-based herbicide, is also known to have endocrine disrupting properties – as mentioned by both studies.

Roundup Linked to Altered Testicular Function Just Days After Exposure

Another study found that glyphosate-based herbicides can impact testicular function in just eight days after exposure, meaning the need for precautions and interventions is an urgent one indeed.

The researchers, led by Prof. Gilles-Eric Seralini from the University of Caen, France, exposed rats to a concentration of just 0.5% Roundup, similar to the level found in water after a crop is sprayed with the herbicide. They then measured sperm function at 2, 3 and 4 months following exposure.

While there was no difference in concentration, viability, and mobility of the sperm at all three periods, there was an increase in abnormal sperm formation beginning as soon as the 2 month mark.

“Roundup was found to change gene expression in sperm cells, which could alter the balance of the sex hormones androgen and estrogen,” reports GM Watch on the study. “A negative impact on sperm quality was confirmed, raising questions about impaired sperm efficiency. The authors suggested that repeated exposures to Roundup at doses lower than those used in agriculture could damage mammalian reproduction over the long term.”

In the study overview, the authors note, “The repetition of exposures of this herbicide could alter the mammalian reproduction.”

A troubling statement, but not one without precedence.

Here are the study highlights:

• “We investigated the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide after an 8-day exposure of adult rats.
• •We have shown a significant and differential expression of aromatase in testis.
• •We have observed a diminution of mRNA expression of nuclear markers in spermatozoa.
• •These results suggest changes in androgen/estrogen balance and in sperm nuclear quality.
• The repetition of exposures of this herbicide could alter the mammalian reproduction.”

Accompanying this research is another study finding male fertility is drastically altered due to glyphosate. According to the Institute of Science in Society:

“A steep decline in human male sperm count concomitant with rise in testicular germ cell cancer, congenital malformations of the male reproductive tract and drop in serum testosterone levels, all pointing towards increasing exposure to glyphosate/Roundup herbicides during the past decades, now corroborated by lab findings.”

Hamster Fertility Suffers After Eating GM Soybeans

Another study, this one out of Russia, found that hamsters who consumed GM soybeans have a slower sexual maturation process and in a few generations, they weren’t able to reproduce.

“We noticed quite a serious effect when we selected new pairs from their cubs and continued to feed them as before. These pairs’ growth rate was slower and reached their sexual maturity slowly.” By the third generation, the hamsters were infertile.

I mention this study because glyphosate is heavily sprayed on GM soybeans.

Ultimately it is highly important to avoid any products sprayed with pesticides or herbicides for the many associated health risks – now fertility included.

In addition to avoiding food which has been tarnished by this pesticide, you may also want to consider investing in a water filter. The carcinogenic chemical Roundup contains known as glyphosate has been found to be contaminating the groundwater in areas it is being applied in.

Being aware of the hormonal disruptors you face in your daily life such as BPA and now Roundup is a must. Even the smallest levels of exposure can have the large negative effects.