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The Influence of Glyphosate on the Microbiota and Production of Botulinum Neurotoxin During Ruminal Fermentation

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Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of glyphosate on the microbiota and on the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) expression during in vitro ruminal fermentation. This study was conducted using two DAISYII-incubators with four ventilated incubation vessels filled with rumen fluid of a 4-year-old non-lactating Holstein–Friesian cow. Two hundred milliliter rumen fluid and 800 ml buffer solution were used with six filter bags containing 500 mg concentrated feed or crude fiber-enriched diet. Final concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/ml of glyphosate in the diluted rumen fluids were added and incubated under CO2-aerated conditions for 48 h. The protozoal population was analyzed microscopically and the ruminal flora was characterized using the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Clostridium botulinum and BoNT were quantified using most probable number and ELISA, respectively. Results showed that glyphosate had an inhibitory effect on select groups of the ruminal microbiota, but increased the population of pathogenic species. The BoNT was produced during incubation when inoculum was treated with high doses of glyphosate. In conclusion, glyphosate causes dysbiosis which favors the production of BoNT in the rumen. The global regulations restrictions for the use of glyphosate should be re-evaluated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

    Wagis Ackermann, Wieland Schrödl, Awad A. Shehata & Monika Krüger

  2. Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

    Manfred Coenen

  3. Avian and Rabbit Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sadat City University, Sadat City, Egypt

    Awad A. Shehata

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  1. Wagis Ackermann
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  2. Manfred Coenen
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  4. Awad A. Shehata
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  5. Monika Krüger
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Correspondence to Awad A. Shehata.

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Ackermann, W., Coenen, M., Schrödl, W. et al. The Influence of Glyphosate on the Microbiota and Production of Botulinum Neurotoxin During Ruminal Fermentation. Curr Microbiol 70, 374–382 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0732-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0732-3

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