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Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on in vitro maturation of pig cumulus-encosed oocytes
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Researchers exposed pig egg cells to polystyrene nanoplastics during laboratory maturation and found that while the eggs still completed their basic development stages, the nanoplastics significantly increased harmful reactive oxygen species levels. This oxidative stress reduced the quality of resulting embryos, as indicated by fewer cells per embryo, suggesting nanoplastic exposure could be a concern for reproductive health.
In recent years, concern has been increasing over the impact of environmental nanoplastics (NPs) contamination on both human and animal health, particularly regarding potential effects on reproductive systems. Nevertheless, current knowledge about the hazards posed by nanoplastics to mammalian gametes remains limited. In this study we evaluated the impact of increasing concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs)(5, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) on female gamete, using an in vitro model of pig oocyte maturation (IVM). Nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation and developmental competence of oocytes, intracellular oocyte levels of glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as steroidogenic activity of cumulus cells (CCs) were evaluated. Exposure to PS-NPs during IVM did not affect CCs steroidogenesis, oocyte nuclear maturation and oocyte cytoplasmic maturation in term of both fertilization parameters after IVF and blastocyst rate after parthenogenic activation. Nevertheless, PS-NPs significantly increased oocyte ROS levels at all the concentrations tested and compromised oocyte developmental competence, as indicated by reduced blastomere number per blastocyst. Our results confirm that PS-NPs may interfere with oocyte maturation and highlights the need to assess NPs exposure as an emerging environmental factor with potential implications for both animal and human fertility.
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics trigger ferroptosis — a form of iron-dependent cell death driven by fat oxidation — in pig egg cells, disrupting their maturation and reproductive viability. This finding raises concerns about nanoplastic exposure potentially impairing fertility by damaging the eggs needed for reproduction.
Uptake of polystyrene nanoplastics by cumulus-oocyte complexes impairs oocyte and embryo development
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Researchers found that 50-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics can penetrate bovine egg cells during in vitro fertilization, significantly delaying both egg maturation and early embryo development. Larger 200-nanometer particles entered the surrounding cumulus cells but could not penetrate the egg itself, suggesting that particle size is a critical factor in nanoplastic reproductive effects.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induce apoptosis, autophagy, and steroidogenesis disruption in granulosa cells to reduce oocyte quality and fertility by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in female mice
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles under 1 micrometer) impair egg cell quality in female mice by damaging the ovarian support cells that help eggs mature, triggering cell death and disrupting hormone production. These findings raise important questions about the potential reproductive risks of nanoplastic exposure in women.
Toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles for mouse ovary and cultured human granulosa cells
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Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on female reproductive health using both mouse ovaries and human granulosa cell cultures. They found that nanoparticle exposure damaged ovarian tissue, reduced egg quality, and triggered cell death through oxidative stress and inflammation pathways. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure may pose risks to female fertility, though more research is needed to confirm effects at real-world exposure levels.
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