Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup could adversely impact female reproductive health by increasing oxidative stress, altering production and regulation of reproductive hormones, reducing ovarian function, and causing pathological changes in the ovaries and uterus, according to a recently published study by a Wayne State University School of Medicine medical student.

The finding re the results of a literature review by Class of 2027 medical student Alexandra Stone, working with her research mentor Husam Abu-Soud, Ph.D., professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development. 

The effects of glyphosate can have significant consequences on women’s reproductive health, potentially increasing the risk of infertility and reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Stone said.

“Re-Evaluating the Use of Glyphosate-based Herbicides: Implications on Fertility,” Stone’s first academic publication, is published in the journal Reproductive Sciences.

“Further research is needed to identify clear guidelines on glyphosate exposure limits, its potential effects on reproductive health, and evaluate its use in the U.S. while potentially identifying cost-effective alternatives that support agriculture in the U.S. while minimizing risks to human health,” Stone added.

The review builds on research previously published by Dr. Abu-Soud in the journal Toxicology in 2020, which demonstrated that glyphosate exposure deteriorates metaphase II mouse oocyte quality via zinc deficiency, ROS accumulation and chromosome disruption.

“The objective of our review was to provide an update on the topic since our previous publication, and to further review the potential mechanisms of toxicity and endocrine disruption of glyphosate on the female reproductive tract. We highlight the possible implications of glyphosate exposure on reproductive health outcomes,” Stone said

The student has been interested in the association between environmental exposures and reproductive health outcomes since her introduction to the field of environmental health in her maternal and child health program in graduate school.

“Exposure to different environmental factors, such as air endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pollution and climate change can significantly impact female reproductive health and fertility. Understanding and addressing the environmental contributors to women’s health is essential to advance women’s health and improve reproductive health outcomes,” she said.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most widely used by farmers and homeowners in the United States. Since the commercialization of Roundup herbicide in 1974, more than 1.6 billion kilograms of glyphosate have been applied in the U.S.

“The widespread use of glyphosate and ongoing litigation over the link between Roundup and cancer have increased concerns regarding its effects on human health and the environment,” Stone said.

Glyphosate’s risk to human health, including reproductive health, remains under debate due to conflicting findings on its potential carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting properties. With limited research on female health outcomes related to glyphosate exposure, the review helps to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the effects of glyphosate on female reproductive functions and fertility. It also provides insight into potential clinical implications of glyphosate exposure on women's health, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

“We are interested in continuing work on environmental exposures and the risk they can pose to women’s health. We have been continuing to review and stay up to date on these topics and hope to initiate more mechanistic studies evaluating the harm to oocyte quality and ovarian health,” Stone said.

The work was supervised by Dr. Abu-Soud, who is Stone’s research mentor.

“Allie has been an enthusiastic addition to our lab and has been a pleasure to work with. She is bright and a fast learner, so when I gave her this project I knew it would be of a high standard,” Dr. Abu-Soud said. “We are impressed by her ability to manage her time in medical school to participate in research and be able to accomplish works such as this one. Her experience with us and at the Mott Center is an important step in her training that we encourage all medical students to seek out. Guiding her at this stage in her career has been a pleasure, and I know she will continue to excel in the field of women's health.”

He and Stone are grateful to lab manager Olivia Camp, research assistant Mia Biernat, medical resident and School of Medicine Class of 2024 graduate David Bai, M.D., and collaborator, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Kamran S. Moghissi, M.D., Endowed Chair of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Awoniyi Awonuga, M.D., for their help on the project.

For more information on Dr. Abu-Soud’s lab, visit mott.med.wayne.edu/abusoudlab/.