We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Oral exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reduced male fertility and even caused male infertility by inducing testicular and sperm toxicities in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed male mice polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes (25, 50, and 100 nm) for 56 days and found that all sizes reduced fertility and some caused complete infertility. The nanoplastics accumulated in the testes, causing oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation that damaged sperm and reproductive tissue. This study raises concerns that human exposure to nanoplastics through food and water could contribute to declining male fertility.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are the novel hazardous materials and ubiquitous in environment with different sizes. Although recent studies showed testicular toxicity of PS-NPs, whether and how NPs affect male fertility and whether they have the size-dependent effect remain ambiguous in mammals. In this study, the male mice were orally exposed to 25-, 50-, and 100-nm polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) for 56 days. All three sized PS-NPs reduced male fertility and even caused male infertility. They accumulated in the testes, induced oxidative stress, affected the expression of apoptosis- and inflammation-related genes, and compromised energy metabolism, resulting in damaged testicular microstructure and functions. PS-NPs caused more severe testicular toxicity in infertile mice than in fertile mice. In addition, PS-NPs inhibited sperm capacitation and capacitation-dependent processes in infertile mice but not in fertile mice. In infertile mice, PS-NPs reduced the sperm levels of two Rho GTPases (RAC1 and CDC42) via increasing their ubiquitination levels and diminished sperm filamentous actin polymerization, thus inhibiting sperm capacitation. However, these testicular and sperm toxicities showed no size-dependent effect among three sized PS-NPs. In conclusion, PS-NPs inhibit male fertility by their multifaceted toxicity on testes and sperm in mice, providing novel insights into reproductive risks of NPs to mammals.
More Papers Like This
Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics impairs sperm metabolism and pre-implantation embryo development in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that male mice given polystyrene nanoplastics by mouth showed significant harm to sperm function and early embryo development, with changes in gene expression that could affect offspring. The findings raise concerns that nanoplastic exposure could impair male fertility and potentially pass harmful effects to the next generation.
Polystyrene microplastics induced male reproductive toxicity in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed male mice to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and found that the particles accumulated in testicular tissue and entered reproductive cells. After 28 days of exposure, sperm quality and testosterone levels declined, and tissue examination revealed disorganized sperm-producing cells and inflammation. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male reproductive health in mammals.
Polystyrene microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Reproductive toxicity of polystyrene microplastics: In vivo experimental study on testicular toxicity in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics and examined the effects on male reproductive function. They found that microplastic exposure significantly reduced viable sperm count, increased sperm abnormalities, and caused structural damage to testicular tissue, suggesting that microplastics may pose risks to male fertility.
Effects of polystyrene microparticles exposures on spermatogenic cell differentiation and reproductive endpoints in male mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that very small polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers) accumulated in mouse testicular tissue and sperm-producing cells, leading to reduced sperm quality and impaired reproductive function. The particles triggered oxidative stress and disrupted the normal process of sperm cell development. This study adds to growing evidence that microplastic exposure could contribute to male fertility problems in humans, particularly from the smallest particles that can penetrate reproductive tissues.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.