Nutritional Assessment of Dietary Bt and Cp4EPSPS Proteins on the Serum Biochemical Changes of Rabbits at Different Developmental Stages.

Ibrahim B Salisu,Ahmad A Shahid,Abdul Q Rao,Qasim Ali,Tayyab Husnain

doi:10.3389/fnut.2018.00049

Ibrahim B Salisu, Ahmad A Shahid + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2018.00049

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Abstract

In recent years, the influence of genetically modified (GM) cotton expressing different types of Bt and EPSPS genes has been attested in term of reduced application of pesticides and insecticides coupled with improved cotton production. Although the cultivation of GM cotton has been authorized by the regulatory authorities of various countries in the world, based on the biosafety studies reported by most of the GM cotton producers, yet the information on its safe use are inadequate. In order to support the issues on food safety, it is therefore mandatory to conduct further safety assessment studies on GM cotton for each independent transgenic event on the basis of case assessment rule. In the present study, the effects of different doses of dietary GM cotton seed expressing Bt and EPSPS genes were studied on the level of serum biochemical in albino rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The rabbits were fed a diet containing different levels of GM cotton seeds (i.e., 20, 30, and 40% w/w) respectively mixed with standard diet for 180 days. During the course of the study, various serum enzymes, electrolytes, proteins, glucose and serum total cholesterol were examined at specific time intervals (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180) days. The results showed non-significant (P > 0.05) dose dependent effects in most of the evaluated serum biochemical parameters. Although, the results in some of the serum biochemistry were significantly different (P < 0.05) among the groups, however, they were not biologically significant, since all the differences were within the normal physiological range. These results thus, suggested that the GM cotton seed meal could be considered as safe as other conventional feed ingredients. The experimental evidence for the safe usage of GM cotton was highlighted in this study.

Highlights

With the recent increase in world population coupled with income growth, the need for an improved food production became necessary
Concern has been raised by the public over the food safety of these Genetically modified (GM) crops with respect to human consumption and production of animal products like meat, milk, and eggs from livestock raised on these GM crops [4]
The issue of utilization of feed ingredients derived from GM crops in animal rearing raises a considerable controversy

Summary

Introduction

With the recent increase in world population coupled with income growth, the need for an improved food production became necessary. In spite of this, feeding studies assessing the impact of GM-crops on human and animal health are comparatively less [5]. The issue of utilization of feed ingredients derived from GM crops in animal rearing raises a considerable controversy. Numerous reports on this topic have been published in the past declaring no harmful effects on animal and human health [6], opposite opinions exist and are experimentally documented [7,8,9,10]. Studies on GM cotton with respect to risk assessment are yet inadequate in proving its safety [15, 16]. It is the need of hour to generate comprehensive dietary risk assessment database for case-wise studies on GM cotton with various animals (wild, ruminant, and mono-gastric animals) [17]

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