We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of combined exposure to polystyrene microplastics and 17α-Methyltestosterone on the reproductive system of zebrafish
Summary
Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics combined with a synthetic hormone (17-alpha-methyltestosterone) and found that the combination caused more severe reproductive damage than either substance alone. The co-exposure reduced mature egg and sperm production, disrupted hormone-related gene expression, and lowered reproductive hormone levels. This suggests that microplastics can make the effects of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment worse, which is concerning for both wildlife and human reproductive health.
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are important carriers of pollutants in water. 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic environmental endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) with androgenic effects. To study the effects of PS-MPs and MT on zebrafish reproductive systems, zebrafish were exposed to 0 or 50 ng L MT, 0.5 mg∙L PS-MPs, or 50 ng∙L MT + 0.5 mg∙L PS-MPs for 21 d. The results showed that the different exposure reagents caused varying degrees of damage to the reproductive systems in zebrafish, with the extent of damage increasing as the exposure duration increased. Histological analysis of the gonads revealed that the ratio of mature oocytes and mature spermatozoa in the gonad decreased gradually with increased exposure time, with the ratio being Control > PS-MPs > MT > MT + PS-MPs in decreasing order. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR) showed that in female fish treated for 7 d, the expression of cyp11a mRNA was significantly reduced in all three treatment groups(MT, PS-MPs, and MT + PS-MPs), while in the group treated for 14 d with MT + PS-MPs, the expression of cyp19a1a and StAR mRNA was significantly increased. In male fish exposed for 21 d, the expression of cyp11a, cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD3 mRNA was significantly decreased in MT + PS-MPs. ELISA results showed that after 14 d of exposure, the levels of E2, LH, and FSH in the ovaries of female fish were significantly reduced in all three treatment groups. Similarly, the levels of T, E2, LH, and FSH in the testis of male fish were significantly reduced after 14 d of exposure to PS-MPs and MT + PS-MPs. Offspring of zebrafish exposed to MT and MT + PS-MPs exhibited delayed incubation time and slow development. The cross-generational toxicity of PS-MPs themselves may be negligible, but it can exacerbate the toxicity of MT, making the cross-generational effects more pronounced in the offspring, causing offspring mortality and malformations. Offspring of zebrafish exposed to MT and MT + PS-MPs exhibited delayed incubation time and slow development. In addition, MT caused malformations such as pericardial edema, yolk cysts, and spinal deformities in zebrafish during the incubation period.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Synergistic endocrine disruption and cellular toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and bisphenol A in MLTC-1 cells and zebrafish
When zebrafish and testicular cells were exposed to polyethylene microplastics and the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) together, the combination caused significantly worse reproductive harm than either pollutant alone, including reduced cell survival and disrupted hormone-producing gene activity. This matters because people are commonly exposed to both microplastics and BPA through food packaging, and their combined effect on reproductive health may be greater than expected.
Polystyrene microplastics enhance the microcystin-LR-induced gonadal damage and reproductive endocrine disruption in zebrafish
Zebrafish exposed to polystyrene microplastics along with microcystin-LR (a common toxin from algae blooms) suffered worse reproductive damage than when exposed to either pollutant alone. The microplastics acted as carriers that increased the amount of toxin accumulating in the fish's reproductive organs. This study demonstrates that microplastics can worsen the effects of other water pollutants by helping toxic chemicals build up in the body.
Endocrine disrupting effect and reproductive toxicity of the separate exposure and co-exposure of nano-polystyrene and diethylstilbestrol to zebrafish
Researchers exposed zebrafish to nano-polystyrene and the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol separately and together, finding that combined exposure caused additive disruption of sex hormones and vitellogenin, a dramatic drop in egg production from 1,031 to 306, and a 65% embryo abnormality rate — substantially worse than either pollutant alone.
Effects of combined exposure to 17α-methyltestosterone and polystyrene microplastics on lipid metabolism and the nervous system in Danio rerio
Researchers exposed zebrafish to a combination of polystyrene microplastics and a synthetic androgen and found significant disruptions to lipid metabolism in the liver and neural function in the brain. The co-exposure caused fatty degeneration of liver cells and altered key signaling pathways involved in nerve communication. The study highlights the compounded risks that arise when aquatic organisms encounter multiple pollutants simultaneously.
Polystyrene microplastics and 17α-Methyltestosterone induce sphingolipid metabolic disruption, leading to liver and brain damage via the liver-brain axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Zebrafish exposed to polystyrene microplastics combined with a synthetic hormone showed severe liver and brain damage through disruption of fat metabolism pathways. The combination of these two common water pollutants was more harmful than either alone, affecting both immunity and metabolism through the liver-brain connection. This research highlights how microplastics can interact with other pollutants in waterways to create amplified health risks for aquatic life and potentially for humans who consume contaminated fish.