Optical Coherence Tomography as an Alternative Tool for Evaluating the Effects of Glyphosate on Hybrid Catfish (Clarias gariepinus ×fig Clarias macrocephalus)

Automated chick gender determination using optical coherence tomography and deep learning

Chick gender classification is crucial for optimizing poultry production, yet traditional methods such as vent sexing and ultrasound remain limited by human expertise, labor intensity, and insufficient resolution. This study introduces a novel approach that integrates Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and deep learning to enable high-resolution, non-invasive chick sexing. Unlike conventional imaging techniques, OCT provides micrometer-scale visualization of cloacal structures, allowing precise differentiation between male and female chicks based on internal anatomical markers. We developed a custom convolutional neural network (CNN) optimized for OCT data, incorporating asymmetric image resizing and enhanced feature extraction to improve classification accuracy. Our model achieved 79 % accuracy, outperforming conventional architectures such as Inception (63 %) and VGG-16 (74 %), highlighting the importance of a tailored, domain-specific model. This is the first study to integrate OCT with deep learning for automated chick sexing, demonstrating a scalable, real-time alternative to expert-dependent vent sexing. With further advancements in imaging and machine learning, our approach has the potential to transform chick sexing in commercial hatcheries, reducing reliance on skilled labor while enhancing classification efficiency and precision.

Triflumezopyrim induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis on Labeo rohita: Insights from Bioinformatics, Histopathological and Molecular approaches

Triflumezopyrim is a novel mesoionic pesticide used in Asian rice fields to control brown plant hopper, which can reach aquatic environments through drift during application or surface runoff. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic exposure of sub-lethal concentrations of triflumezopyrim (2.468 ppm, 1.480 ppm, and 0.740 ppm) on freshwater carp, Labeo rohita.This study encompassed a multi-pronged approach, including molecular docking studies to elucidate the interactions between triflumezopyrim and selected proteins, an assessment of 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) activity to gauge DNA damage, histopathological examinations to identify cellular alterations, and expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, DNA repair, and apoptosis in L. rohita. We observed dose-dependent responses in 8-OHdG activity and the expression of select genes, with higher concentrations of triflumezopyrim yielding more pronounced transcriptional alterations. Notably, histopathological examinations of liver and brain tissues vividly portrayed the impact of triflumezopyrim on L. rohita. These findings contribute to the assessment of biological toxicity and the environmental footprint left by chemical pollutants such as triflumezopyrim. The study emphasizes the crucial role of monitoring histopathological alterations, 8-OHdG activity and gene expression changes as potential biomarkers for assessing exposures to triflumezopyrim. This research provides valuable insights into the ecological implications of triflumezopyrim in aquatic ecosystems.

Application of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to evaluate the adverse effects of 2,4-D dimethylammonium on morphological changes in Riceland Prawn (Macrobrachium lanchesteri)

2,4-D dimethylammonium, a widely used herbicide, accumulates in aquatic animals, posing risks to both their populations and human consumers. This study evaluated the effects of 2,4-D on Riceland prawn (Macrobrachium lanchesteri) using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to assess morphological changes. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) was also measured. Toxicity increased with both concentration and exposure duration. OCT revealed swelling in the gill region, tissue abnormalities, and muscle damage in the abdominal somite, telson, and uropod, along with tissue separation and degradation. Histological analysis confirmed muscle degeneration, hemocyte infiltration, and swelling. AChE expression was undetectable at 400 and 450 µL/L after 96 hours, with a molecular weight of 71 kDa. CAT and GST activities decreased at higher herbicide concentrations, further demonstrating the harmful effects of 2,4-D on prawn health.

Adverse effects of glyphosate-based herbicide on hatching rate, morphological alterations, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression in golden apple snail eggs

This research investigated the effects of glyphosate herbicide on golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) eggs, focusing on hatching rates, morphological changes, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression to explore its potential as a biomarker of exposure. Additionally, key bioactive components in golden apple snail eggs were characterized. The study demonstrated that glyphosate toxicity increased with both exposure time and concentration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis revealed adverse morphological effects on eggs and embryos, including changes in shell structure and organ development. SDS-PAGE analysis identified four main protein bands, including Perivitellin 2 in three isoforms (98, 67, and 31 kDa) and Ovorubin (28 kDa). Lipids, phosphorus, and carbohydrates were identified as key components through Sudan Black B, Methyl Green, and Alcian Blue staining. AChE, with a molecular weight of 71 kDa, was further analyzed by Western blot, showing decreased expression with prolonged and higher concentrations of glyphosate exposure. GC-MS analysis identified major bioactive compounds in untreated eggs, including 3-Fluoro-β, 5-dihydroxy-N-methylbenzeneethanamine, 2-Aziridinylethylamine, and dextroamphetamine, which have pharmaceutical properties such as anti-hypertensive, diuretic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as potential applications in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. These compounds were present at lower levels in glyphosate-exposed groups, suggesting glyphosate's impact on the eggs' biochemical defense mechanisms. This study highlights the potential effects of glyphosate on golden apple snail eggs, which may have implications for future snail populations and aquatic ecosystems.

Assessment of the effects of 2,4-D-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-based herbicide exposure in eggs and embryos of golden apple snails using OCT

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of herbicide 2, 4-D-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid on golden apple snail eggs and embryos. Additionally, the study assessed the applicability of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive depth cross-sectional microscopic imaging technique, as a novel method, to the best of our knowledge, for studying morphological changes in golden apple snail eggs and embryos, in comparison to the conventional approach of using white light microscopy. The study revealed that the herbicide 2,4-D-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid affected the hatchery rate and morphological changes of the eggs and embryos. The lethal concentration (LC50), representing the concentration of a substance that is expected to cause death in half of the population being studied, of the golden apple eggs and embryos increased with longer exposure time and higher concentrations. The estimated median effective concentration (EC50), which denotes the concentration producing the desired effect in 50% of the exposed golden apple embryos, exhibited a similar trend of change as the LC50. When compared to the microscopic study, it was observed that OCT could be employed to investigate morphological changes of golden apple snail eggs and embryos, enabling evaluation of alterations in both 2D and 3D structures.

Adverse effects of 2,4-D dimethylammonium based-herbicide on Acetylcholinesterase expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In this study, the evaluation of a 2,4-D dimethylammonium based-herbicide impacted on Nile tilapia was done. The effects focus on Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression in the brain, gill, muscle, and plasma using antibody techniques. Our findings revealed a decrease in AChE expression with prolonged exposure. For these, AChE was purified using hydroxyapatite column chromatography. Moreover, the isolated protein was characterized as AChE by Polyclonal Ab specific to AChE through the Western blot. For interpretation at the cellular and molecular level, we employed two analytical techniques, histology, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Alterations in the gill, liver, and muscle were observed to increase with increased exposure time. Field study concludes that AChE could serve as a biomarker to detect herbicide contamination in water and its accumulation in aquatic animals. This study may aid in surveillance and strategy formulation for managing contamination from such substances in various water sources.

GLYPHOSATE IMPACT on human health and the environment: Sustainable alternatives to replace it in Mexico

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide used to control weeds and protect agricultural crops, and it is classified as potentially carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In Mexico, the use of pesticides is a common practice, including glyphosate. However, on December 31st, 2020, the Mexican government decreed the prohibition of this herbicide as of January 2024. In this review, we investigate the association between glyphosate and cancer risk and found that most of the studies focused using animals showing negative effects such as genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity, some studies used cancer cell lines showing proliferative effects due to glyphosate exposure. To our knowledge, in Mexico, there are no scientific reports on the association of glyphosate with any type of cancer. In addition, we reviewed the toxicological effects of the herbicide glyphosate, and the specific case of the current situation of the use and environmental damage of this herbicide in Mexico. We found that few studies have been published on glyphosate, and that the largest number of publications are from the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification to date. Additionally, we provide data on glyphosate stimulation at low doses as a biostimulant in crops and analytical monitoring techniques for the detection of glyphosates in different matrices. Finally, we have tried to summarize the actions of the Mexican government to seek sustainable alternatives and replace the use of glyphosate, to obtain food free of this herbicide and take care of the health of the population and the environment.