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Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl-glycine) is a non-selective systemic herbicide widely used worldwide. The purpose of this study is to determine if glyphosate alone (GLPH) or in formulation with Roundup (G-RU) can affect granulosa cell proliferation and steroid production. Four experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 10 and 300 μg/mL of GLPH had no effect (P > 0.05) on cell numbers, estradiol or progesterone production, whereas 10 and 300 μg/mL of G-RU dramatically decreased (P < 0.05) cell numbers and estradiol and progesterone production. In Exp. 2, G-RU at 0.1 μg/mL had no significant effect whereas G-RU at 10 μg/mL decreased (P < 0.05) GC numbers, progesterone and estradiol production. In the absence of IGF1 but presence of FSH, 1 μg/mL of G-RU decreased (P < 0.05) estradiol production, whereas in the presence of IGF1 and FSH, 1 μg/mL of G-RU increased (P < 0.05) cell numbers, progesterone and estradiol production. In Exp. 3, IGF1 significantly increased cell numbers (by 2.8-fold) and estradiol (by 17.8-fold) and progesterone (by 6.1-fold) production. GLPH at 10 μg/mL alone had no significant effect on FSH-induced (i.e., basal) or FSH plus IGF1-induced cell numbers, estradiol or progesterone production. However, G-RU at 10 μg/mL significantly inhibited FSH plus IGF1-induced cell numbers, estradiol and progesterone production by 65%-91%. In Exp. 4, 48 h treatment of G-RU had no significant effect on viability of attached cells. In conclusion, the present studies demonstrate that GLPH and particularly G-RU may have the potential to impair reproductive function in cattle., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Glyphosate (GLY) is a common herbicide used worldwide but its effect on ovarian function in mammals is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the potential endocrine disruptor effects of GLY on ovarian function evaluating cell proliferation, steroidogenesis and gene expression using bovine granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells as in vitro models. GC proliferation was impaired (P < 0.05) after exposure to GLY at 0.5, 1.7 and 5 μg ml -1 . GC progesterone production was not affected (P ≥ 0.05) at all doses tested while estradiol production was inhibited (P < 0.05) by GLY at 5 μg ml -1 . At the same concentration GLY showed no effect (P ≥ 0.05) on theca cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. At higher concentrations (0.01 and 0.3 mg ml -1 ), GLY had no significant effect (P ≥ 0.05) on GC proliferation and steroidogenesis. These studies, for the first time, suggest that GLY may affect the reproductive system in cattle via direct action on ovarian function; however, further studies will be required to understand better the mechanism of action and to determine the in vivo reproductive effects of GLY. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)