Glyphosate and Fungicide Mix Damages the Prostate Before Birth
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/7/2026
Male rats exposed to a mixture of glyphosate and propiconazole in the womb developed prostate lesions and hormone disruption by the time they hit puberty. The damage was programmed before they were born.
What the Study Found
A 2026 study in Mol Cell Endocrinol exposed pregnant rats to a mixture of the fungicide propiconazole and the herbicide glyphosate from day 9 of gestation through weaning. On day 60 (postpuberty), researchers examined the male offspring's prostates.
The exposed animals had remodeled prostate tissue with hyperplastic acini (overgrown glands), atrophic acini (shrunken glands), and structural changes in both the tissue and surrounding muscle layers. Estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) protein was reduced, particularly in the abnormal tissue areas.
Why a Mixture Matters
Glyphosate is the world's most-used herbicide (Roundup). Propiconazole is a common fungicide used on crops. Farmers use them together. They end up on food together. You eat them together. But safety testing usually evaluates each one alone.
This study shows the combination disrupts prostate development and hormone signaling in ways that may not appear when testing each chemical separately.
What to Do
Buy organic produce when possible, especially during pregnancy. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Vary your produce sources. Browse non-toxic home essentials for pesticide-free living.
Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.