Pre and postnatal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and potential neurodevelopmental outcomes: a systematic review of animal and epidemiological studies

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates potential adverse effects on infant neurodevelopment from exposure to glyphosate during prenatal and postnatal periods. This systematic review examines the scientific literature to explore links between prenatal/postnatal glyphosate exposure and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in humans and non-humans. Twenty-five original articles were reviewed, focusing on the following descriptors: glyphosate-based herbicides, pre and postnatal exposure, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Risk of bias assessment was conducted to quality of studies. Experimental studies commonly used tests such as open field and novel object recognition, while epidemiological studies relied on medical records for diagnoses of conditions like depression and autism-like behavior. Surprisingly, only one experimental study directly measured glyphosate levels, and one of the epidemiological studies included a biomarker measure. In rodents, GLY exposure was associated to impaired cognition, motor function, memory, as well as ASD and anxiety-like behavior. In fish models, impairment of swimming activity was predominant. Overall, findings suggest possible associations between glyphosate exposure and neurodevelopmental deficits, emphasizing the need for further research to comprehend the extent of glyphosate's impact on developmental functioning.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-025-00294-z.

Keywords: Child development disorders; Maternal exposure; Pesticide exposure; Prenatal care.