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Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on the Reproductive System, Intestinal Structure, and Microflora in Male and Female Mice
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Researchers exposed male and female mice to PVC microplastics to study how they affect reproductive health, intestinal tissue, and gut bacteria. The study found that PVC microplastics damaged the reproductive organs and intestinal lining in both sexes, but the specific effects differed between males and females. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure may disrupt gut health and reproductive function in sex-specific ways.
The pervasive use of plastics in numerous industrial sectors has resulted in the circulation of microplastics across diverse ecosystems and food chains, giving rise to mounting concerns regarding their potential adverse impacts on biological systems and the environment. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the distinct effects of microplastic-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exposure on the reproductive system, intestinal tissue structure, and intestinal microbial flora of both male and female mice. A total of 24 4-week-old Kunming mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups: male control group (CM), female control group (CF), male PVC test group (PVCM), and female PVC test group (PVCF) (n = 6). The findings revealed that in terms of the reproductive system, the PVCM group exhibited an impaired testicular structure with an irregular arrangement and a significant reduction in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatozoa within the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.01). The PVCF group exhibited a notable decrease in ovarian follicles (p < 0.01), accompanied by a reduction in uterus volume, fallopian tube volume, and muscle layer thickness, all of which also decreased significantly (p < 0.01). In comparison to the control groups, exposure to PVC resulted in a reduction in the width and height of the intestinal villi, accompanied by an increase in crypt depth. This led to a significant alteration in the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) (p < 0.01). Moreover, a reduction in microbial species diversity was observed within both the PVCM and PVCF groups; additionally, it was accompanied by contrasting changes in relative abundance and functional gene profiles among the major intestinal flora constituents. In summary, the findings indicate that PVC induces damage to both male and female mice reproductive and digestive systems, further exhibiting notable sex-dependent effects on mouse intestinal microflora composition, which correlates significantly with its impact on reproductive organs.
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Researchers examined sex-specific differences in gene expression changes in mice exposed to PVC microplastics via ingestion, finding that male and female animals responded differently at the molecular level. The sex-specific patterns suggest that biological sex may be an important variable in microplastic health risk assessments.
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Mice fed tiny plastic particles (like those found in food and water) for a month showed different health effects depending on their sex: males developed more gallbladder inflammation, while females had changes in their gut lining and mucus production. Overall body weight and blood tests looked normal, but the plastic particles did travel into the liver and intestines in both sexes, suggesting that even short-term microplastic exposure may affect male and female bodies differently, which matters as scientists work out what these ubiquitous plastic particles mean for long-term human health.
Sex-specific gene expression alterations in response to ingested PVC microplastics in Wistar rats
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Researchers investigated sex-specific differences in gene expression changes triggered by PVC microplastic ingestion, examining whether males and females show distinct molecular responses to the same plastic exposure. Sex-specific gene expression patterns were identified, suggesting that microplastic toxicity may manifest differently in males and females with implications for health risk assessment.
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Researchers exposed both male and female mice to polystyrene microplastics for 30 to 44 days and found that the particles accumulated more in ovaries than testes, causing oxidative stress and reproductive damage in both sexes. Male mice had fewer viable sperm and more deformed sperm, while female mice had smaller ovaries with fewer eggs, and both sexes showed altered hormone levels and reduced fertility. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could contribute to declining fertility in both men and women.
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