Evaluation of the Potential Effect of Cry1Ab Expressing Straw on ICR Mice

Cry1Ab toxin has been effectively integrated into crops such as rice and cotton for pest control, and the safety evaluation of transgenic rice has attracted widespread attention. Nevertheless, the effects of transgenic rice straw on animal model are still unclear. Hence, the present study conducted an integrated analysis to evaluate the unintended effects of transgenic rice straw expressing Cry1Ab protein on the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice under 90-day treatment. The results indicated that Cry1Ab rice straw had no significant effects on the behavior and body weight of mice. In addition, physiological indicators, including hemogram, blood biochemistry, apoptosis rate, and calcium ion concentration of the blood lymphocytes, displayed no alterations under Cry1Ab protein stress. Similarly, Cry1Ab rice straw had no adverse effects on several antioxidase activities (i.e., catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholine esterase). Moreover, we recorded that Cry1Ab stress did not adversely impact the sperm quality and follicular development of male and female ICR mice. Collectively, this integrated analysis indicates that Cry1Ab rice straw has no adverse or toxic effects on ICR mice after 90-day treatment and provides multi-level perspectives to assess the safety of genetically modified crops on non-target mammals.