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Effects of microplastics on reproductive characteristics and mechanisms of the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
Summary
Researchers exposed marine rotifers (tiny animals at the base of the ocean food chain) to naturally aged microplastics collected from Japanese coastal waters and found reduced reproduction and population growth. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress and suppressed genes involved in reproduction. Since rotifers are food for many fish species, harm to their populations could ripple up through the food chain.
Microplastic pollution, especially secondary microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Despite its prevalence, the impact of natural-aged MPs on marine organisms, hindered by collection challenges, remains poorly understood. This study focused on 1-3 μm natural-aged MPs collected from Japan's coastal sea, investigating their effects on the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis sensu stricto and its reproductive mechanisms. Rotifers exposed to varying MP concentrations (0, 20, and 200 particles/mL) over 14-day batch cultures exhibited reduced population growth and fertilization rates. Down-regulation of reproductive genes and up-regulation of oxidative stress-related genes were observed, indicating MP-induced disruptions. Enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase and acetylcholinesterase and elevated malondialdehyde levels further emphasized oxidative stress. These findings underscore the detrimental impact of MPs on rotifer reproductivity, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms.