Attempting to determine a cause of infertility can be maddening for many couples. While infertility treatments often center around the female, the male is solely responsible in about 20% of infertility cases, and the male contributes to infertility in another 30% to 40% of cases. Reasons for male factor infertility can vary, but a recent study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety points to the chemical glyphosate.
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If you or a loved one were harmed by using Roundup Weedkiller you could be entitled to compensation.
This widely used chemical is readily available to the general public even though many studies have pointed to its toxicity to humans with many people developing terminal cancer after being exposed to large amounts of glyphosate. Just how damaging glyphosate is to fertility and general human health is yet to be seen, but so far, it’s not looking good.
What the Study Found
The study is titled “Glyphosate presence in human sperm: First report and positive correlation with oxidative stress in an infertile French population,” and it found that over 55% of sperm samples were positive for glyphosate. These samples were taken from 128 infertile French men.
The study cautions that exposure to pesticides could be a contributing factor in declining human fertility. Not only was glyphosate found in the sperm samples of infertile men, but it was found at levels four times higher than it was found in blood plasma. Unsurprisingly, agricultural workers and landscapers had higher levels of glyphosate than other men in the study. Smokers also tended to have higher levels.
Of the men in the sample, those who had detectable levels of glyphosate in their sperm also had higher levels of oxidative stress, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress biomarkers. “Taken together, our results suggest a negative impact of [glyphosate] on the human reproductive health and possibly on his progeny,” the authors of the study conclude. They also recommend that regulators take precautions when it comes to glyphosate, at least until more studies are conducted and more information is found.
The authors of the study noted that the fact that glyphosate levels were four times higher in the sperm than they were in the blood is worrying. It suggests that the chemical might be even more dangerous to the reproductive system than it is to other parts of the body.
It’s also troubling that the authors found a correlation between glyphosate levels and oxidative stress. Recent studies have pointed to oxidative stress as a potential contributing factor to male infertility. If higher glyphosate levels are causing oxidative stress, it very well may be that glyphosate is a main contributing factor to infertility.
As couples struggle with infertility more and more across the globe, researchers have been trying to pinpoint a cause. Currently, there are many plausible reasons for this, including age (many people are waiting longer to have kids), medications such as bicalutamide and cimetidine, environmental toxins such as pesticides and flame retardants, and lifestyle factors such as stress and weight fluctuations. This new finding about glyphosate is just one piece of the puzzle as we work to improve fertility.
Why is Glyphosate So Dangerous?
Glyphosate is a chemical used around the world to prevent weeds from damaging crops. Not only is it used on commercial farms, but it’s also used by many home gardeners, municipalities, and landscapers. It’s easy to buy glyphosate at your local store, and it’s most commonly known as Roundup.
While it does its intended job well, it has proven to be dangerous to humans. The weed killer has been linked to many health problems, including cancer, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The longer the exposure and the higher the dose, the more likely you are to suffer harmful effects. With this new study pointing to the impact on fertility, it would be wise to take even more caution with glyphosate, especially for couples who are trying to conceive.
Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding glyphosate and its effects on the human body, particularly when it comes to cancer. Many people have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of glyphosate, claiming that the weedkiller caused their cancer, and many people have won large cash payouts as a result. For example, Dewayne Johnson, a former school groundskeeper was awarded $289.2 million after Roundup caused his Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer.
If you believe you have been harmed by exposure to glyphosate, which is commonly known as Roundup, you may be eligible to file a glyphosate lawsuit and seek justice as well. We know how difficult it can be to deal with health issues and how much you just want justice for the harm that was done to you. We can help determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit, and we can connect you with a Roundup lawyer who can help you and your case.