We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Exposure to Different Types of Microplastics on the Growth and Development of Rana zhenhaiensis Tadpoles
Summary
Researchers exposed frog tadpoles to three types of microplastics -- polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene -- and found that polyethylene and polystyrene caused the most harm, significantly reducing metamorphosis rates, body weight, and body length. These two plastics also caused visible liver tissue damage and altered gut bacterial communities compared to controls. The study reveals that different types of microplastics can have very different levels of toxicity to developing amphibians.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a major environmental problem, but a comparative study of the toxicological effects of different MPs remains lacking. To explore the toxicological effects of three different microplastics, namely, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), Zhenhai brown frog (Rana zhenhaiensis) tadpoles were used as the model animal. The results showed that exposure to PE and PS significantly reduced the metamorphosis rate of the tadpoles. Compared with the control group, the body weight of tadpoles in all MP treatments was significantly reduced compared with that of the control group. In addition, exposure to PE reduced the body length and hind limb length of tadpoles. The number of pigment cells increased and intercellular spaces expanded in the liver tissues of tadpoles receiving PS and PE treatments. The composition and function of the intestinal microbiota in the PP treatment and control groups were similar, whereas between the PS treatment and control, they differed. Liver transcriptome sequencing revealed significant alterations in key genes associated with oxidative stress, energy metabolism, immune response, and apoptosis signaling pathways with PS treatment and PP treatment. In summary, MPs may have harmed tadpoles to varying degrees by interfering with related signaling pathways. The negative effects of PE and PS were greater than those of PP.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic pollution and amphibian health: Complex physiological effects of different microplastic types on juvenile Glandirana rugosa
Researchers studied how polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics affect juvenile frogs and found significantly higher mortality rates in microplastic-exposed groups. The frogs showed elevated stress hormones, signs of oxidative damage, and elongated intestines, suggesting their bodies were trying to adapt to the particles. The study highlights that microplastics pose both physical and chemical risks to amphibians, which may contribute to population declines.
How much are microplastics harmful to the health of amphibians? A study with pristine polyethylene microplastics and Physalaemus cuvieri
Researchers exposed frog tadpoles (Physalaemus cuvieri) to polyethylene microplastics and found significant harmful effects including DNA damage, cell toxicity, and abnormal physical development. The microplastics accumulated in multiple tissues including the gills, gut, liver, muscle, and blood. The study provides some of the first evidence that microplastics can affect amphibian health, adding to concerns about their impact on freshwater wildlife.
Microplastics impair amphibian survival, body condition and function
Tadpoles of the common midwife toad were exposed to polystyrene microspheres at varying concentrations in microcosms, with microplastics reducing feeding, impairing body condition, and showing dose-dependent ingestion of particles. The study provides rare evidence that microplastics harm amphibians, a group already facing global population declines.
Effects of microplastics on growth and development of Rana latastei tadpoles: A mesocosm study
Mesocosm experiments exposing Rana latastei tadpoles to a mixture of PVC and HDPE microplastics found developmental delays and reduced survival, providing more ecologically realistic estimates of MP toxicity than laboratory-only studies.
Differential effects of microplastic exposure on anuran tadpoles: A still underrated threat to amphibian conservation?
Researchers found that microplastic exposure affects amphibian tadpoles differently depending on the species, with Italian agile frog tadpoles showing reduced survival at high concentrations while green toad tadpoles were more resilient.