Uso de Embriões em Testes de Toxicidade de Herbicidas, uma Revisão Abrangente

Abstract

The use of embryos as an alternative model to assess herbicide toxicity stands out for its importance in reducing the use of animals in toxicological studies and in aligning with the ethical principles of the 3Rs. The use of herbicides in agriculture raises concerns about their environmental and public health risks and, therefore, embryonic models of birds, amphibians, zebrafish and mice emerge as sensitive and ethical tools to identify the toxic effects of these compounds on development. This study aimed to qualitatively review articles that explore the toxicity of herbicides using embryonic models. Searches conducted in databases such as ScienceDirect and PubMed focused on studies examining compounds including Glyphosate, 2,4-D, Atrazine, Diuron, S-metolachlor, Acetochlor, and Pendimethalin. The findings reinforce the effectiveness of embryonic models in detecting toxic effects at low concentrations, highlighting their sensitivity and utility for toxicological evaluations. However, the study also identified challenges, particularly the lack of methodological standardization and the diversity of approaches used in the analyzed studies. These limitations hinder the generalization and comparison of results, complicating a comprehensive understanding of the toxic potential of these substances. Despite these challenges, the use of embryos in agrochemical testing demonstrates potential to replace traditional animal testing. It offers a more ethical and replicable methodology, with the possibility of developing standardized protocols that could significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of herbicides' impacts on health and the environment.