Abstract
We investigated the effects of Kalach 360 SL (KL), Glyphosate (G)-based herbicide, on bone tissue in different groups of female Wistar rats. Group 1 (n = 6) received a standard diet and served as a control, groups 2 and 3 (n = 6 each) received 0.07 ml (D1: 126 mg/Kg) and 0.175 ml (D2: 315 mg/Kg) of KL dissolved in the water for 60 days. The plasma was used to examine the metabolic balance markers (calcium, phosphorus, phosphatase alkaline (PAL), and vitamin D (vit D) and hormonal status (oestrogen and thyroid hormones). As a result, subchronic exposure to KL induced a perturbation of bone metabolism (calcium and phosphorus) and hormonal status disturbance. The histological and immunohistochemical study of the thyroid gland revealed a disturbance in morphological structure and thyroid cells function. Moreover, the KL disrupting eff;ect on thyroid function was investigated by measuring changes in plasma levels of thyroid hormones. Free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroxine (FT4) were decreased in female rats breast-fed from rats treated with D and D2 of KL. This eff;ect was associated with an increase in the plasma level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Thus, that KL leads to hypothyroidism. Decrease in levels of oestrogen and thyroid dysfunction led to a disruption in the skeletal bone. The histological study and SEM in bone results allowed us to observe, in rats exposed to KL, the thinning and discontinuity of bone trabecular with a significant decrease in the number of nodes (intertrabecular links).In conclusion, KL sub-chronic exposure caused an aspect of osteoporosis.