We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
In Vitro Toxicity of a DEHP and Cadmium Mixture on Sheep Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the combined toxicity of the plasticizer DEHP and cadmium on sheep egg cells in laboratory conditions. The study found that while neither contaminant alone nor the mixture impaired nuclear maturation, the DEHP/cadmium mixture caused stronger disruptions to cellular energy processes and increased oxidative stress compared to either contaminant individually.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Cadmium (Cd) affect female reproduction. To date, toxicological research has focused on the effects of individual contaminants, whereas living beings are exposed to mixtures. This study analyzed the effects of a DEHP/Cd mixture on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of sheep cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) compared with single compounds. COCs recovered from slaughterhouses-derived sheep ovaries were in vitro exposed to 0.5 μM DEHP, 0.1 μM Cd, or DEHP/Cd mixture at the same concentrations during 24 h of in vitro maturation (IVM). After IVM, oocyte nuclear chromatin configuration was evaluated, and bioenergetic/oxidative parameters were assessed on expanded cumulus cells (CCs) and matured oocytes (chi-square test and one-way ANOVA; p < 0.05). Under examined conditions, oocyte nuclear maturation was never impaired. However, COC bioenergetics was affected with stronger effects for the mixture than single compounds. Indeed, the percentages of matured oocytes with healthy mitochondrial distribution patterns were reduced (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 for mixture and single compounds, respectively). Oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS levels, and mitochondria/ROS co-localization were reduced, with the same significance level, in all contaminated conditions. CCs displayed increased ROS levels only upon mixture exposure (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in vitro exposure to the DEHP/Cd mixture affected COC quality in the sheep to a greater extent than separate compounds.
More Papers Like This
PVC Microplastics and Cadmium Induce Premature Ovarian Insufficiency-like Changes via Glycolipid Metabolism Variation in Duck Ovary
AI summary Read the abstract
Female ducks exposed to PVC microplastics and cadmium together showed damage to ovarian cells, increased oxidative stress, scarring, and disrupted sugar and fat processing proteins in the ovary. These changes affected egg cell development, suggesting the combined pollutants harm reproductive health in birds.
Polystyrene-microplastics and DEHP co-exposure induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and necroptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in mice by promoting ROS production
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and DEHP (a common plastic additive) caused more damage to mouse ovarian cells than either pollutant alone, triggering excessive oxidative stress that led to DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. These findings suggest that microplastics combined with their chemical additives may pose a synergistic threat to female reproductive health.
Combined effect of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on rat blood-testis barrier integrity and sperm quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed male rats to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium, both separately and together, and found that both substances damaged testicular tissue, disrupted the blood-testis barrier, and reduced sperm quality. Notably, the combined exposure was less severe than cadmium alone, likely because microplastics absorbed some cadmium in the gut and reduced its bioavailability. The study also found for the first time that microplastics trigger autophagy in reproductive cells as a protective response.
The single and combined effects of decabromodiphenyl ethane and mixed microplastics on male mice reproductive toxicity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the combined reproductive toxicity of mixed microplastics and the flame retardant DBDPE in male mice over seven weeks. The study found that DBDPE alone decreased sex hormone levels and sperm count, and when combined with microplastics, the effects on testicular damage, sperm malformation, and oxidative stress were compounded, suggesting that microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring chemical contaminants.
Simultaneous challenge with polystyrene nanoplastics and BDE-47 elicits cooperative cytotoxic impairment in human spermatozoa
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles and a common flame retardant chemical (BDE-47), when combined, seriously damaged human sperm, even though each one alone caused little harm. Together they triggered cell stress and death in sperm, hurting their ability to swim and fertilize an egg. This suggests everyday chemical mixtures, not just single pollutants, may play a hidden role in declining male fertility.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.