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Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Disrupts Spermatogenesis in Mouse Offspring by Inducing Prdm14 Overexpression in Undifferentiated Spermatogonia
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When pregnant mice were exposed to nanoplastics (extremely small plastic particles), their male offspring had lower testosterone, fewer sperm, and damaged sperm-producing cells. The nanoplastics caused inflammation in the cells responsible for sperm production, disrupting a key gene (Prdm14) that controls sperm development. This suggests that a mother's plastic exposure during pregnancy could affect her sons' fertility later in life.
Undifferentiated spermatogonia (Undiff-SPG) plays a critical role in maintaining continual spermatogenesis. However, the toxic effects and molecular mechanisms of maternal exposure to nanoplastics on offspring Undiff-SPG remain elusive. Here, we utilized a multiomics combined cytomorphological approach to explore the reproductive toxicity and mechanisms of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on offspring Undiff-SPG in mice after maternal exposure. The results indicated that PS-NPs decreased testosterone levels and reduced sperm concentration and quality in offspring male mice through maternal exposure. Moreover, PS-NPs could enter offspring Undiff-SPG, increase ROS levels, and decrease the viability of Undiff-SPG. According to the transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, PS-NPs caused offspring male mice Undiff-SPG inflammation by increasing the expression of Tnfsf18/Nlrp6. Mechanistically, we found that inflammation induced overexpression of the transcription factor Prdm14 in Undiff-SPG, which suppressed the expression of Ccdc33 and Tcirg1. Additionally, PS-NPs disrupted offspring spermatogenesis by inhibiting the Osbp2/Zcwpw1/Dhps expression. Furthermore, PS-NPs reduced the Undiff-SPG autophagic flux by reducing the expression of Igbp1/Gabarapl2. In conclusion, maternal exposure to PS-NPs caused inflammation in offspring Undiff-SPG, which resulted in Prdm14 overexpression that could disrupt spermatogenesis and normal autophagy.
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Unveiling the Insidious Role of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Compromising Male Fertility
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This review pulls together existing research showing that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, already found in human semen and testicular tissue, may damage sperm production by causing cell stress, disrupting hormones, and even altering gut bacteria that support reproductive health. The risk grows when these plastics mix with other pollutants like heavy metals, suggesting real-world exposure could be more harmful than lab studies of plastics alone. While more research is needed, this adds to growing concern that everyday plastic pollution may be quietly contributing to declining male fertility worldwide.
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