The use of herbicides is a growing practice worldwide, especially for weed
control in genetically modified crops. In Argentina, herbicides such as
glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium (GLA) -an irreversible glutamine
synthase inhibitor- are widely used. Following the emergence of crop resistance
to other herbicides such as glyphosate, there has been a growing trend toward
the use of glufosinate-ammonium. Different studies have shown toxic effects on
developmental nervous system in humans and animals after GLA exposure.
Our study was based on evaluating developmental toxicity in Wistar rats
exposed to GLA formulation at doses equivalent to 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg of GLA
from postnatal day 7 to 27, and subjected to behavioral tests to evaluate motor
activity and cognitive functioning. Weight evolution was also carried out and the
preliminary result showed a delay in the growth and development of neonates
exposed to the highest doses. Moreover, studies in hippocampal pyramidal
neurons cultured for 24 and 48 hours were performed. Immunocytochemical
studies revealed that undifferentiated neurons exposed to GLA showed
alterations on their development since shorter and less complex dendritic tree
was observed compared to controls. Together, our observations suggest that
GLA exposure induce neurotoxicity signs during development.