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Ultrasonographic and Morphometric Characterization of Embryonic Development Following Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics
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When pregnant rats were fed tiny plastic particles (like those found in bottled water and packaged food), their babies grew normally at first but showed slower growth later in pregnancy and after birth. Smaller plastic particles (1 micrometer) caused more noticeable effects than slightly larger ones (5 micrometers), suggesting the tiniest plastic bits may be more harmful to development. While this study was done in rats, not humans, it raises real questions about whether the microplastics we're all exposed to daily could affect pregnancy and infant growth.
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental contaminants, yet their effects on reproductive and early ontogenetic development remain insufficiently understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the ef-fects of chronic pregestational and gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with particle sizes of 1 μm (G1) and 5 μm (G5) on embryonic and early postnatal development in Wistar rats, using com-bined ultrasonographic and morphometric assessment.Juvenile animals were subjected to a 30-day oral exposure to PS-MPs at a dose of 0.1 mg/day suspended in drinking water until sexual maturity. After mating, exposure in females continued throughout pregnancy, allowing the modeling of combined pregestational and gestational exposure.Ultrasonographic evaluation on gestational day 10 revealed no significant intergroup differences, sug-gesting unaffected early implantation and initial embryonic development. In contrast, gestational day 18 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in the main ultrasonographic parameters in exposed groups compared to controls, with the most pronounced alterations observed in G1, indicating a size-dependent effect during late gestation.Postnatal morphometric analysis demonstrated a tendency toward lower body weight and body length in offspring from exposed groups on postnatal days 2 and 21 (PND 2 and PND 21), while the physiological growth pattern remained preserved. Smaller particles (1 μm) induced more pronounced alterations than 5 μm particles.In conclusion, maternal exposure to PS-MPs was associated with measurable, phase-dependent changes in embryonic and postnatal development in Wistar rats, with effects tending to be more pronounced following exposure to smaller particles and during late gestation. These findings suggest that particle size may influence the biological activity of MPs and support the need for further investigation into their potential long-term reproductive effects.
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Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics Causes Fetal Growth Restriction in Mice
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Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene micro and nanoplastics and found that exposure caused fetal growth restriction and placental abnormalities. The study observed that plastic particles accumulated in placental tissue and disrupted normal placental function. These findings raise concern that maternal exposure to plastic particles during pregnancy may interfere with fetal development.
Effects of Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure on Growth and Physiological Parameters in Juvenile Wistar Rats
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Scientists fed young rats tiny plastic particles (the kind found in everyday products) daily for six weeks and found the rats grew more slowly and had disrupted hormone levels, including lower testosterone in males and lower estrogen in females, plus changes in organs like the brain, lungs, and spleen. While this study was in rats, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics may interfere with normal development and hormone balance, which is especially concerning during childhood and adolescence when these systems are still maturing.
Transplacental and lactational exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces structural and cellular alterations in the hippocampus of rat offspring
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In a study on pregnant rats, tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) passed from mother to baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding, showing up in the offspring's brains and damaging a key memory-related brain region called the hippocampus. The exposed babies had smaller brains, more cell death, and disrupted support cells in the brain — effects that got worse with higher plastic doses. While this was done in rats, not humans, it raises real concerns about whether everyday plastic exposure during pregnancy could affect a developing baby's brain, making it an important area for future human research.
Gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics incurred placental damage in mice: Insights into metabolic and gene expression disorders
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This mouse study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to tiny polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers), the particles crossed the placenta and reached fetal livers and brains, causing placental damage and impaired fetal development. Larger microplastics (5 micrometers) were less able to cross the placenta, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk during pregnancy.
[Effects of nanopolystyrene nanoplastic exposure on the development and neurotoxicity of fetal rats during gestation].
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Researchers found that gestational exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics in rats caused dose-dependent reductions in fetal body weight, body length, and brain development, with smaller 25 nm particles producing more pronounced neurotoxic effects than 50 nm particles.
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