Roundup in the aquatic environment and fish reproduction

Abstract

This review paper aims to present the effects of Roundup in the aquatic environment on fish reproduction. It describes the mechanism of action and toxic effects of Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate on non-target organisms — flatworms, amphibians, and mammals. Commercial formulations based on glyphosate are dangerous for living organisms, as they lead to behavioural disorders, reduce reproductive parameters, and may cause metabolic disorders. In fish, Roundup causes damage to the liver, brain, and gills, and triggers degenerative changes in the kidneys. Sub-lethal doses of this pesticide impair locomotor activity and damage DNA through oxidative stress. Many experiments show toxic effects of Roundup on fish reproduction. Reported anomalies include disturbances in embryogenesis (e.g. pericardial oedema or tail bend), reduced embryo survival, and an increase in the number of deformed larvae. Roundup and glyphosate inhibit ovarian follicular growth in adult females. Adult males exposed to the pesticide have inferior semen quality, with limited sperm concentration and motility. Roundup represents a serious threat to land and water organisms, and therefore its use must be limited.