Study: Roundup Weed Killer Ingredient Found in Human Sperm

Study: Roundup Weed Killer Ingredient Found in Human Sperm

Introduction

New research indicates that glyphosate, the primary component in Roundup and similar herbicides, is found in human sperm at concentrations higher than those typically seen in blood, sparking concerns about the potential impact on human reproduction.

Published last week in the medical journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, French researchers highlighted the dangers glyphosate from Roundup may pose, including the deterioration of the human blood-testes barrier and toxic side effects that could be inherited by future generations.

Roundup has been widely used for decades in agriculture and residential weed control, containing glyphosate as its active ingredient. Although marketed as safe for humans, recent studies have raised serious health concerns. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen. This led to various restrictions on Roundup globally, due to the increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers linked to its use.

Over the past decade, Bayer and its Monsanto subsidiary have faced over 120,000 Roundup lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging that the weed killer caused their non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, whether used in agricultural or residential settings. The failure to warn about glyphosate’s potential side effects is a central issue in these lawsuits.

In this recent study, researchers from France’s Centre de Fertilité examined data from 128 male partners of infertile couples, aged 26 to 57, who had no physical abnormalities or chronic illnesses. Blood and semen samples were collected and tested for glyphosate. The analysis revealed that glyphosate was present in the semen and blood plasma of 73 of the 128 men tested, with these men residing in a region known as France’s “bread basket,” where Roundup use is prevalent.

This study is the first to confirm glyphosate's presence in human sperm, finding that its levels were generally four times higher in seminal plasma than in blood plasma. The researchers also discovered a correlation between glyphosate levels in blood plasma and semen, suggesting that higher levels in the blood are indicative of higher levels in semen.The researchers propose that glyphosate may disrupt the blood test barrier, a phenomenon observed in previous rat studies. They warn that the presence of glyphosate in seminal plasma is linked to increased oxidative stress, which can contribute to infertility, DNA damage in sperm, and potential health problems in offspring.

"Taken together, our results suggest a negative impact of glyphosate on human reproductive health and potentially on progeny," the lead researcher concluded. "A precautionary principle should be applied during the current discussions about the use of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) in Europe by authorities."

These findings underscore the need for reevaluating the safety of glyphosate-based products and considering stricter regulations to protect public health, particularly concerning reproductive health and the well-being of future generations. The study emphasizes the importance of precautionary measures in the ongoing debate over glyphosate's use in Europe.