We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Chronic Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure Reduces Testosterone Levels in Mice through Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and BAX/BCL2-Mediated Apoptosis
Summary
This mouse study found that oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics for four weeks significantly lowered testosterone levels by damaging the cells in the testes that produce it. The microplastics caused mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and triggered cell death in these testosterone-producing cells. These findings suggest that chronic microplastic exposure could contribute to declining male hormone levels and fertility issues.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a major environmental issue. They have been found to cause significant reproductive toxicity and lower testosterone levels in adult males, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, C57bl/6 mice were orally exposed to saline or varying doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/day) of 5 μm polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) for 4 weeks, and TM3 mouse Leydig cells were treated with different concentrations of PS-MPs. Our results found that exposure to PS-MPs significantly reduced testosterone levels and impaired the synthesis function of testicular steroids. In vitro, PS-MPs reduced steroid synthesis in Leydig cells. Treatment with PS-MPs significantly increased the apoptosis rate and BAX/BCL2 ratio in Leydig cells. Additionally, GSH-px and SOD activities decreased, while MDA levels increased, along with a rise in mitochondrial ROS. In conclusion, chronic PS-MP exposure reduced testosterone levels in mice through mitochondrial oxidative stress and BAX/BCL2-mediated apoptosis. This study offers new insights into the health risks posed by MPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Reproductive Toxicity of Chronic Exposure To Polystyrene Microplastics And The Molecular Mechanism of Decrease In Testosterone Levels In Male Mice
Chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastics lowered testosterone levels in male mice and disrupted reproductive organ function. The study identified molecular pathways through which microplastics interfere with male hormone production, with implications for reproductive health in humans exposed through diet.
Polystyrene microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice
Male mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics for six weeks showed significant reproductive damage, including reduced sperm count and motility, lower testosterone levels, and visible tissue damage in the testes. The microplastics caused oxidative stress and triggered cell death pathways in the reproductive tissue. These findings add to growing evidence that microplastic exposure could contribute to declining male fertility.
Chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastics induced male reproductive toxicity and decreased testosterone levels via the LH-mediated LHR/cAMP/PKA/StAR pathway
Mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics in their drinking water for 180 days showed significant reproductive damage, including reduced testosterone, lower sperm quality, and changes in testicular structure. The researchers identified a specific hormonal pathway through which microplastics suppress testosterone production in the cells that make it. This long-term, low-dose study is particularly relevant because the exposure levels are closer to what humans might experience in everyday life.
Polystyrene microplastics induce male reproductive toxicity in mice by activating spermatogonium mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis
A mouse study found that polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced sperm count and motility while increasing sperm deformities. The damage was caused by oxidative stress in the energy-producing mitochondria of sperm-forming cells, which triggered cell death -- raising concerns about microplastics' potential impact on male fertility.
Polystyrene microplastics disrupt adrenal steroid synthesis in male mice via mitochondrial dysfunction
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics disrupted steroid hormone production in the adrenal glands of male mice by causing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Chronic exposure led to reduced corticosterone levels and increased cell death in adrenal tissue. The study suggests that microplastics may interfere with the body's stress response and hormonal balance through damage to the energy-producing structures within cells.