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Combined exposure to microplastics and zinc produces sex-specific responses in the water flea Daphnia magna
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This study found that combined exposure to microplastics and zinc produced sex-specific effects in Daphnia magna water fleas, with males and females showing different behavioral, oxidative stress, and gene expression responses. The findings suggest that microplastics can interact with metal pollutants in complex ways, and that the biological impact depends on the sex of the organism.
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and a great threat to the aquatic environment. Due to their small size (ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm), microplastics be easily ingested by a wide range of organisms and can serve as a vector for various contaminants. In this study, additive or possible synergistic effects of microplastics and zinc were demonstrated through sex-specific alterations in behavior, redox status, and modulation of detoxification-related genes in Daphnia magna, with males being more sensitive than females with stronger modulations of antioxidant responses, particularly on glutathione S-transferases expressions. Furthermore, we demonstrated microplastics may act as vectors for metals (Zn) in the aquatic environment in D. magna, with reduced bio-concentration of the total Zn concentration, inducing greater toxicity. Our findings demonstrated synergistic toxicity of the heavy metal Zn and microplastics and could contribute to greater understanding of sex-specific effects of microplastics in aquatic organisms.
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Study on the reproductive toxicity of co-exposure to lead and microplastics at environmental concentrations in zebrafish
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Scientists exposed zebrafish to lead and microplastics together, at levels similar to what's found in polluted environments, and found the combination harmed fertility and reproductive health more than either pollutant alone—damaging hormone balance, causing cell stress, and even affecting the health of offspring. Interestingly, the damage played out differently in males (affecting fat metabolism and cell death pathways) versus females (affecting amino acid processing), suggesting these two very common pollutants may pose sex-specific risks to reproductive health that single-pollutant studies could miss.
Effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics on reproduction, oxidative stress and reproduction and detoxification-related genes in Daphnia magna
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Researchers exposed water fleas (Daphnia magna) to PVC microplastics of two different sizes and measured effects on reproduction, oxidative stress, and gene expression. They found that smaller microplastics caused greater reproductive impairment and stronger oxidative stress responses, along with changes in genes related to reproduction and detoxification. The study demonstrates that microplastic size is an important factor in determining toxicity to freshwater invertebrates.
Effects of microplastics on key reproductive and biochemical endpoints of the freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia magna
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Researchers studied how microplastics affect reproduction and biochemistry in the freshwater water flea Daphnia magna, a widely used indicator species. They found that microplastic exposure led to changes in reproductive output and altered key biochemical markers in these small crustaceans. The study suggests that even tiny plastic particles can disrupt important biological functions in freshwater organisms that form the base of aquatic food webs.
The impact of microplastics and copper on sex ratio and oxidative stress: analysis in zebrafish intestine, gonad and brain
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Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to copper, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics individually and in combination, finding that copper caused high mortality, PE alone induced a feminization trend, and co-exposure amplified adverse effects on sex differentiation and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Co-exposure of microplastics and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone affects Daphnia magna depending on the developmental stage
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Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics and the plant-derived compound 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone on Daphnia magna, which represents a freshwater ecosystem stress scenario. Co-exposure produced effects that differed from either stressor alone, highlighting the importance of studying pollutant mixtures.
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