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Cellular responses of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) gametes exposed in vitro to polystyrene nanoparticles
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Researchers exposed Pacific oyster gametes to carboxyl- and amine-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics and found rapid adhesion to both sperm and eggs, with amine-coated particles triggering significant reactive oxygen species production in sperm at high concentrations — demonstrating that nanoplastic surface chemistry determines toxicity and that reproductive cells are affected within hours of exposure.
While the detection and quantification of nano-sized plastic in the environment remains a challenge, the growing number of polymer applications mean that we can expect an increase in the release of nanoplastics into the environment by indirect outputs. Today, very little is known about the impact of nano-sized plastics on marine organisms. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics (NPs) on oyster (Crassostrea gigas) gametes. Spermatozoa and oocytes were exposed to four NPs concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg L for 1, 3 and 5 h. NPs coated with carboxylic (PS-COOH) and amine groups (PS-NH) were used to determine how surface properties influence the effects of nanoplastics. Results demonstrated the adhesion of NPs to oyster spermatozoa and oocytes as suggested by the increase of relative cell size and complexity measured by flow-cytometry and confirmed by microscopy observations. A significant increase of ROS production was observed in sperm cells upon exposure to 100 mg L PS-COOH, but was not observed with PS-NH, suggesting a differential effect according to the NP-associated functional group. Altogether, these results demonstrate that the effects of NPs occur rapidly, are complex and are possibly associated with the cellular eco-corona, which could modify NPs behaviour and toxicity.
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can damage the immune cells of oysters by harming their mitochondria, the "batteries" that power cells, leading to DNA damage even at low exposure levels. While this study was done in oysters, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that nanoplastics can disrupt basic cell functions, raising questions about what similar exposure might mean for human health given how widespread plastic pollution has become in our food and water.
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Researchers exposed Pacific oysters to polystyrene microplastics during their reproductive period and found significant impacts on their ability to reproduce. Exposed oysters produced fewer and smaller egg cells and slower-swimming sperm, resulting in fewer offspring that also developed more slowly. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution could threaten the reproductive success of commercially and ecologically important shellfish populations.
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