Table 3.
In vitro and in vivo assays showing estrogenic-like properties of glyphosate (Gly) and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs).
| Compound tested | Exposure type | Estrogenic-like effects | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| in vitro assays | |||
| Glyphosate (Gly) |
Model: T47D cells (hormone-dependent human breast cancer cells) Exposure: 24 h Concentration: 169x10-12 to 169x10-6 g/l |
-Gly induced proliferation -Gly induced estrogen response element transcriptional activity blocked by the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. -Gly increased the expression of ERα and ERβ -Antagonist effect of Gly in presence of estradiol (E2) |
(97) |
| -GBHs: Roundup ProBio, Glyphogan, Roundup Grand Travaux Plus, and Roundup Original DI -Glyphosate (Gly) |
Model: T47D and MCF-7 cells (hormone-dependent human breast cancer cells) Exposure: 24 h or 6 days (depend on the assay) Concentration: 10x10-6 to 1,000,000 x10-6 g/l |
-Gly induced proliferation -Gly induced estrogen response element transcriptional activity blocked by the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. |
(98) |
| Glyphosate (Gly) |
Model: Ishikawa cells (human endometrial carcinoma cells) Exposure: 24 h Concentration: 33.8 x10-6 and 338 x10-6 g/l |
-Gly induced cell migration and invasion -Gly decreased E-cadherin mRNA expression -Gly effects were reversed by the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780 |
(99) |
| in vivo assays | |||
| GBH |
Model: adult ovariectomized female rat Exposure: for 3 consecutive days after ovariectomy through subcutaneous injection Dose: 0.5, 5 and 50 mg Gly/kg/day Target organ: uterus |
-GBH increased luminal epithelial height -GBH decreased ERα mRNA levels -GBH disrupted estrogen-responsive gene expression |
(103) |
| GBH: Roundup Full II |
Model: ovariectomized female rat on postnatal day (PND)21 Exposure: on PND1, 3, 5, and 7 through subcutaneous injection + E2 implants from PND21 to PND60 Dose: 2 mg Gly/kg/day Target organ: uterus |
-GBH increased luminal epithelial height -GBH increased E2-induced cell proliferation -GBH deregulated ERα and ERβ expression -GBH enhanced the response to E2 |
(104) |
GBH, Glyphosate-based herbicide; Gly, glyphosate (active ingredient); E2, 17β-estradiol; ERα, estrogen receptor alpha; ERβ, estrogen receptor beta; PND, postnatal day.