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Microplastics increase the accumulation of phenanthrene in the ovaries of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) and its transgenerational toxicity
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Researchers found that co-exposing female marine medaka fish to phenanthrene-adsorbed microplastics significantly increased the accumulation of the pollutant in ovaries compared to phenanthrene alone. The combination worsened reproductive toxicity by increasing follicular atresia and inhibiting ovarian maturation, and the pollutant was transferred to offspring embryos. The study suggests that microplastics may amplify the transgenerational toxicity of organic pollutants in marine fish populations.
Microplastics (MPs) are considered to exacerbate the impacts of hydrophobic organic pollutants on aquatic organisms through the carrier function, but whether MPs affect the transgenerational toxicity of pollutants is unclear. This study exposed adult female marine medaka to phenanthrene (Phe)-adsorbed MPs for 60 days to investigate the effects of MPs on the bioaccumulation, reproductive and transgenerational toxicity of Phe. Compared to Phe alone, co-exposure to Phe and 200 μg/L MPs significantly increased Phe bioaccumulation in the intestines and ovaries. Phe alone and Phe combined with MPs disrupted the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, and reduced vitellogenin levels and reproductive capacity of female fish. In particular, co-exposure to 200 μg/L MPs and Phe increased the rate of follicular atresia, inhibited ovarian maturity, and aggravated reproductive toxicity. Notably, maternal uptake of Phe could be transferred to the offspring, and embryonic accumulation increased with the concentrations of MPs. Moreover, MPs aggravated Phe-induced bradycardia in embryos, suggesting that MPs exacerbated the transgenerational toxicity of Phe. These findings reveal that the growing number of MPs in the ocean might amplify the adverse effects of organic pollutants on the health and population stability of marine fishes, and this problem merits more attention.
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Multigenerational effects of combined exposure of triphenyltin and micro/nanoplastics on marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma): From molecular levels to behavioral response
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This study exposed marine medaka fish to a combination of micro/nanoplastics and triphenyltin, a toxic chemical used in paints and plastics. The pollutants caused oxidative stress, hormone imbalances, and behavioral changes that carried over to the next generation of fish. The findings show that microplastics combined with other environmental pollutants can cause harm that gets passed down to offspring, raising concerns about long-term effects on marine food webs.
Low level of polystyrene microplastics decreases early developmental toxicity of phenanthrene on marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
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Researchers exposed marine medaka fish eggs to low levels of polystyrene microplastics combined with the pollutant phenanthrene. Surprisingly, they found that a very low concentration of microplastics actually reduced the developmental toxicity of phenanthrene, improving hatch rates and decreasing malformations. The study suggests this protective effect occurs because the microplastics reduce the bioavailability of the chemical pollutant, challenging the assumption that microplastics always worsen the toxicity of co-occurring contaminants.
Organic contaminants sorbed to microplastics affect marine medaka fish early life stages development
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Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics carrying adsorbed environmental contaminants affect the early life stages of marine medaka fish. The study found that while virgin microplastics alone showed no significant effects, microplastics spiked with benzo(a)pyrene, PFOS, or benzophenone-3 caused developmental impacts in embryos and larvae, demonstrating that microplastics can act as carriers that deliver toxic chemicals to developing fish.
Polystyrene microplastics cause tissue damages, sex-specific reproductive disruption and transgenerational effects in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
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Researchers exposed marine medaka fish to environmentally realistic concentrations of polystyrene microplastics and found tissue damage, oxidative stress, and sex-specific reproductive disruption. The effects carried over to the next generation even without direct microplastic exposure. The study provides evidence that microplastics at levels found in the ocean can cause lasting biological harm across generations in fish.
Virgin microplastics cause toxicity and modulate the impacts of phenanthrene on biomarker responses in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus )
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Researchers investigated the impacts of virgin and phenanthrene-loaded polyethylene microplastic fragments on juvenile African catfish. The study found that even virgin microplastics caused toxicity and altered biomarker responses, and that microplastics modulated the toxic effects of phenanthrene, suggesting microplastics can act as both independent stressors and carriers of chemical contaminants.
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