Détection of genetically modified plants-associated pesticides and endometriosis : a pilot study

Journal or Publishing Institution: Université de Sherbrooke

Study: https://web.archive.org/web/20180820203900/https://savoirs.usherbrooke.ca/bitstream/handle/11143/4084/MR83765.pdf?sequence=1

Author(s): Paris, K.

Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study

Record ID: 1830

Abstract: Over the past ten years, we are witnessing a coincidence between the increase in the use of pesticides associated to genetically modified plants (PAGMP) and the incidence of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of P AGMP in the sérum and the peritoneal fluid of women with and without endometriosis. Twenty two patients with endometriosis (case group) were compared to seventeen patients without endometriosis (control group). Sérum and peritoneal fluid (PF) were obtained from each patient and levels of herbicides associated to genetically modified plants including glyphosate (GLYP), glufosinate-ammonium (GLUF) and their main metabolites [aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) and 3-methylphosphinicopropionic acid (3-MPPA), respectively] were assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of insect-resistant CrylAb protein were measured by an ELISA method. Independently of endometriosis, GLUF, its metabolite 3-MPPA and CrylAb protein were present in blood and PF. GLYP was absent in the sérum and present in PF samples, whereas its metabolite AMPA was absent in ail studied samples. However, no significant différence was found in both sérum and PF of women with endometriosis and controls. On the other hand, total antioxidant status (TAS), an indirect oxidative stress biomarker, was significantly reduced and inversely correlated to 3-MPPA in the PF of patients with endometriosis compared to controls. Traces of certain PAGMP have been detected in human sérum and PF, suggesting a possible contamination via food. Further large studies should confirm the harmlessness of these chemicals and eliminate their potential implication in reproductive disorders such as endometriosis.

Keywords: Endometriosis, Infertility, Genetically Modified Plants, Pesticides, Stress, Oxidative; Glyphosate, Glufosinate

Citation: Paris, K., 2010. Détection of genetically modified plants-associated pesticides and endometriosis : a pilot study. Université de Sherbrooke.