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with all MFI patients. There was a velopment of sperm cells and sperm motility [19]. In addition, male infertility
significant association between MFI could arise from ROS damages to mitochondrial DNA.
and ROS with odds ratio of 4.25,
independently of sperm parameters Francisco Peixoto at University of Trás-os-Montes, Real, in Portugal com-
and age. They concluded that high pared the effects of Roundup with glyphosate on isolated rat liver mi-
ROS is an independent marker of tochondria [20] and found dramatic differences. Roundup collapses the
MFI, irrespective of whether these transmembrane potential of the mitochondria and uncouples oxidative
patients have normal or abnormal phosphorylation, depressing the rates of oxidation, with effects starting at
semen parameters. They proposed 0.5 mM (7.5 ppm). These effects are most likely due to non-specific perme-
that ROS measurement should be ation of the mitochondrial membrane by Roundup or its adjuvant POEA. In
included a part of idiopathic infer- addition, Roundup specifically inhibited succinate dehydrogenase, succinate
tility evaluation, and treatment with cytochrome c reductase, and ATP synthase and ATPase, key enzymes in
antioxidants may be beneficial for oxidative phosphorylation. Glyphosate, on the other hand, does not have any
such patents. significant effects on the function of mitochondria up to the highest concen-
tration used, 15 mM (253.5 ppm).
ROS are generated as intermediates
in the central metabolic process
whereby oxygen-breathing organ- References
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activities. The energy metabolism 10 May 2010, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1275879/The-infer-
takes place in the mitochondria, tility-timebomb-Are-men-facing-rapid-extinction.html
the tiny membranous powerhous- European Science Foundation, September 2010, http://www.esf.org/filead-
es within cells where fragments min/Public_documents/Publications/SPB40_MaleReproductiveHealth.pdf
from the breakdown of glucose Travison TG, Araujo AB, O’Donnell AB, Kupelian V and Mckinlay JB. A
are oxidized ultimately into carbon population-level decline in serum testosterone levels in American men. J Clin
dioxide and water. It involves a Endochrinol & Metab. 2007, 92, 196-202. http://usludgefree.org/pdf/hfw/
tightly coupled process of oxidative hfw_testosterone.pdf
phosphorylation in which electrons Samsel A and Seneff S. Glyphosate’s suppression of cytochrome P450
and protons are extracted from the enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: pathways to
chemical fragments, with electrons modern diseases. Entropy 2013, 15, 1416-63.
transported down the electron trans- Ho MW and Sirinathsinghji E. Ban GMOs Now, ISIS, 2013, https://ww-
port chain and protons transported w.i-sis.org.uk/Ban_GMOs_Now.php
up the proton gradient, so that Mesnage R, Bernay B and Séralini GE. Ethoxylated adjuvants of glypho-
their energy can be tapped to make sate-based herbicides are active principles of human cell toxicity. Toxicology
ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the 2013, 2-3, 122-28.
universal energy intermediate of the Clair E, Mesnage R, Travert C and Séralini G-E. A glyphosate-based herbi-
body) (for a good summary of the cide induces necrosis and apoptosis in testicular cells in vitro, and testoster-
entire process see Chapters 21 and one decrease at alower levels. Toxicology in Vitro 2012, 26, 269-279. http://
22 of [18] Living_Rainbow_H2O, www.gmoseralini.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Clairal_ToxInVi-
ISIS publication). During this tightly tro_2012-1.pdf
coupled process, ROS are generated Cavalli VLdLO, Cattani D, Rieg CEH, Pierozan P, Zanatta L, Parisotto EB,
as partially oxidized intermediates Filho DW, Silva FRMB, Pessoa-Pureur R and Zamoner A. Roundup disrupts
[13]. Consequently, disturbances that male reproductive functions by triggering calcium-mediated cell death in rat
uncouple oxidative phosphorylation testis and Sertoli cells. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 2013, 65, 335-46.
lead to a failure of oxidation and Ermak G and Davies KJA. Calcium and oxidative stress: from cell signalling
release the partially oxidized and to cell death. Molecular Immunology 2002, 38, 713-21.
damaging ROS intermediates into Romano RM, Romano MA, Bernadi MM, Furtado PV and Oliveira CA. Pre-
the cell, resulting in oxidative stress. pubertal exposure to commercial formulation of the herbicide and decreased
testosterone serum level at puberty alters testosterone levels and testicular
It is very likely that the primary morphology. Archives of Toxicology 2010, 84, 309-17.
target of Roundup, especially its Dallegrave E, Mantese FD, Oliveira RT, Andrade AJ, Dalsenter PR and Lan-
POEA surfactant, is the mitochon- geloh A. Pre- and postnatal toxicity of the commercial glyphosate formula-
dria, which play a key role in the de- tion in Wistar rats. Arch Toxicol 2007, 81, 665-73.

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