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Effects of different micro- and nanoplastic polymers on steroidogenesis in a feto-placental in vitro model
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Scientists built a lab model of the placenta to test what happens when tiny plastic particles—like those found in bottled water and food packaging—come into contact with it. They found that several common plastic types can cross the placental barrier and disrupt hormone production, including hormones important for a healthy pregnancy. While this is a lab study (not proof of harm in real pregnancies), it raises real questions about whether the microplastics we're all exposed to daily could affect babies during development.
BACKGROUND: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been detected in human placenta, though their impact on steroidogenesis during pregnancy remains unknown. Existing in vitro placental models are limited in capturing both barrier function and maternal-fetal steroidogenic interactions. METHOD: A Transwell tri-culture model was developed, consisting of BeWo b30 (apical) and HUVEC cells on the insert and H295R cells at the bottom (basolateral). Fluorescently-labelled (F) polymers were added apically: commercially PS (50 nm, 200 nm and 1000 nm) and custom-made PMMA (340-740 nm), PVC (2140-5700 nm), PA6,6 (280-640 nm) and PET (1460-5200 nm). Translocation from apical to basolateral side was measured after 72 h, and uptake assessed by confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial activity, steroid hormone levels and gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes were also evaluated. RESULTS: F-PS translocation was size-dependent, with the highest observed for F-PS50 nm (4.4%). F-PMMA showed the highest translocation (10.7%), followed by F-PVC (6.5%) and F-PET (4.2%), while F-PA could not be reliably quantified. In the tri-culture, 19 steroid hormones were detected apically and 18 basolaterally. PS1000 nm and PS50 nm (10 μg/mL) decreased 17-hydroxy-dihydroprogesterone (17-OH-DHP) by 36% and 29%, respectively. PET, PMMA, PA6,6, and PVC (10 μg/mL) reduced apical etiocholanolone by 23-25%. PET (1 μg/mL) reduced it by 22%. PS1000 nm (1 μg/mL) lowered apical 17β-estradiol by 14%. CYP17 expression decreased after PS200 nm and PS1000 nm exposure; other polymers showed no effect. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro model demonstrates that MNPs cross the placental barrier and alter steroidogenesis, raising concerns about their potential endocrine-disrupting effects during pregnancy.
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Limited passage and functional effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a physiologically-relevant in vitro human placental co-culture model
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Researchers developed a placental co-culture model to study how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cross the placental barrier. The study found that smaller nanoplastics (50 nm) crossed more readily than larger particles, and while most cellular functions remained unaffected, exposure to the smallest nanoplastics caused a 17% decrease in estradiol hormone levels, suggesting potential endocrine effects.
Microplastics in the Perinatal Period: Emerging Evidence on Maternal Exposure, Placental Transfer, and Fetal Health Outcomes
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This review summarizes emerging evidence that microplastics can cross the placenta and reach developing babies, having been detected in maternal blood, placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and breast milk. The tiny plastic particles may damage the placenta, disrupt hormones, alter immune responses, and potentially affect fetal growth and brain development. While more research is needed, the findings raise serious concerns about microplastic exposure during pregnancy and its implications for infant health.
Exposure of the human placental primary cells to nanoplastics induces cytotoxic effects, an inflammatory response and endocrine disruption
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Scientists exposed human placental cells to polystyrene nanoparticles at concentrations found in human blood and observed cell death, inflammation, and disrupted hormone production, with smaller 20-nanometer particles causing more damage than larger ones. This is significant because the placenta is the critical barrier protecting developing babies, and these findings suggest nanoplastics may interfere with pregnancy hormones and placental function at real-world exposure levels.
Impact of Environmental Microplastics on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes: A Scoping Review
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics have been found in placentas, amniotic fluid, and other tissues involved in pregnancy, and this review of 53 studies found early evidence linking them to changes in fetal growth, birth weight, and gene activity in animal and lab studies. While these findings are concerning, most of the research so far is in animals or cells rather than humans, so scientists still need to confirm whether microplastic exposure actually causes problems for pregnant people and their babies.
Microplastics: A threat to Fetoplacental unit and Reproductive systems
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This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics may harm the placenta and reproductive system, particularly during pregnancy. The authors highlight that these tiny plastic particles have been found in placental tissue and may interfere with fetal development, though they note that much more research is needed to understand the full risks to mothers and babies.
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