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Micro/nanoplastics impair the feeding of goldfish by disrupting the complicated peripheral and central regulation of appetite
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Goldfish exposed to environmentally realistic levels of polystyrene micro and nanoplastics for 28 days ate significantly less food due to disruption of both gut-based and brain-based appetite signals. Smaller nanoplastics caused more severe effects than larger microplastics, damaging internal organs and altering hormones that regulate hunger. The findings suggest that plastic particle pollution in waterways could impair feeding and survival in fish populations.
The ubiquitous presence of plastic particles in water bodies poses a potential threat to aquatic species. Although numerous adverse effects of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been documented, their effects on fish feeding, one of the most important behaviors of animals, are far from being fully understood. In this study, the effects of MPs and NPs (at environmentally realistic levels) on fish food consumption and feeding behavior were assessed using goldfish (Carassius auratus) and polystyrene (PS) particles as representatives. In addition, to reveal the potential mechanisms, the effects of MPs and NPs on peripheral and central regulation of appetite were evaluated by examining appetite-regulation related intestinal, serous, and hypothalamic parameters. The results obtained indicated that the 28-day MP- and NP-exposure significantly impaired goldfish feeding by disrupting peripheral and central appetite regulation. Based on differences observed in their effects on the abovementioned behavioral, histological, and physiological parameters, MPs and NPs may interfere with appetite regulation in a size-dependent manner. Blocking the gastrointestinal tract and causing histopathological and functional damage to inner organs may be the main routes through which MPs and NPs disrupt appetite regulation. Our findings suggested that plastic particles exposure may have far-reaching effects on fish species through impaired feeding, which warrants further attention.
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene particles of two different sizes and found that both nano- and micro-sized plastics disrupted gut bacteria, caused oxidative damage, and altered immune responses. The severity of effects depended on particle size and concentration, with smaller particles and higher doses causing more harm. The study suggests that plastic particles in waterways may pose a broader threat to fish health than previously understood, affecting digestion, stress defenses, and immunity simultaneously.
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Scientists exposed rare minnow fish to polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics at different sizes and concentrations and found that both caused growth inhibition, tissue damage, and disrupted gut bacteria. Interestingly, larger microplastics at high concentrations were the most disruptive to gut microbiome communities, while nanoplastics caused more oxidative stress. The study shows that the health effects of plastic particles depend on both their size and amount, and that gut health is a key target of microplastic toxicity.
Size-dependent effects of microplastic on uptake, immune system, related gene expression and histopathology of goldfish (Carassius auratus)
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Researchers exposed goldfish to two sizes of polystyrene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations for 28 days. The study found that microplastics accumulated in gill, liver, and intestine tissues, causing damage that worsened with smaller particle size and higher doses. The results indicate that microplastics trigger oxidative stress and immune responses in fish, with smaller particles posing greater health risks.
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