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Exploring the impact of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics on male reproductive health: Insights from a mouse model study

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) 2024
Oğuz Kaan Tombul, Arife Dilşad Akdağ, Pınar Buket Thomas, Nur Kaluç

Summary

Researchers investigated the impact of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics on male reproductive health, examining whether nanoplastic exposure contributes to infertility by affecting sperm function, hormone levels, or testicular tissue. Results showed PET nanoplastics impaired reproductive endpoints in the male reproductive system, adding to growing concern about plastic particle effects on fertility.

Polymers
Body Systems
Models

Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Among these factors, exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics (NPs) has emerged as a potential contributor to male infertility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of sub-chronic exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastics on male reproductive health using a mouse model. For this aim first, we produced 56 nm PET-NPs by dilution-precipitation technique. Then, eighteen Balb-C mice, randomly divided into three groups (n=6) were exposed to 0, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/day PET-NPs for 28 days by oral gavage. Following the sub-chronic exposure testis index, sperm counts and morphology, DNA strand breaks, and spermatogenesis were evaluated. Our data revealed that sub-chronic exposure to PET-NPs did not significantly affect testis index in both PET-NP exposed groups compared to the control. On the other hand, both 0.1 and 0.5 mg/day PET-NP exposed groups exhibited a significant decrease in sperm counts (P Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558671/document

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