A 90−day subchronic toxicity study of transgenic cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2A and CP4−EPSPS proteins in Sprague−Dawley rats. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ali, Qasim; Salisu, Ibrahim Bala; Shahid, Ahmad Ali; Liaqat, Ayesha; Rao, Abdul Qayyum
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 146(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Sprague−Dawley -- Toxicology -- Cry1Ac -- Cry2 -- CP4−EPSPS -- Cottonseed; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111783
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Genetically engineered crops expressing insecticidal and herbicide-tolerant traits offer a new strategy for crop protection and enhanced production; however, at the same time present a challenge in terms of toxicology and safety. The current experiment presents the findings of a 90-day feeding study in Sprague−Dawley rats with transgenic cottonseed which is expressing insecticidal Cry proteins (Cry1Ac and Cry2A), and tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate. There were 100 rats in this experiment divided into 5 groups of 10 rats/sex/group. Cottonseed from transgenic and control (near-isogenic) lines was formulated into standard diets at levels of 10% and 30% (w/w). All formulated diets were nutritionally balanced. Overall appearance, feed consumption, body weight, organ weight, haematology, serum chemistry and urinalysis were comparable between control and treatment groups. In addition, there was no treatment-related difference in findings of microscopic histopathology and gross appearance of tissues. In conclusion, following the 13-week of feeding transgenic cottonseed, no treatment-related adverse effects were observed in any of the parameters measured in this experiment. Thus, this study demonstrated that transgenic cottonseeds do not cause toxicity and are nutritionally equivalent to its conventional counterpart. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A 90-day sub-chronic toxicity study of transgenic cotton in Sprague-Dawley rats. Transgenic cotton: expressing Cry1Ac, Cry2A and CP4-EPSPS proteins. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed in test and control groups. Transgenic cottonseeds are as safe as non-transgenic cottonseeds.