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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Surface-charge-dependent ovarian toxicity of polystyrene microplastics: Insights into accumulation, mitochondrial damage, and macrophage polarization
ClearInduction of Male Reproductive Toxicity in Mice by Differentially Charged Polystyrene Microplastics
This study exposed male mice to polystyrene microplastics carrying different surface charges (positive, negative, or neutral) and found that all types caused reproductive toxicity, including damage to sperm quality and testicular tissue. Surface charge influenced the severity and mechanism of harm, with positively charged particles showing the strongest effects, suggesting that the chemical surface properties of microplastics — not just particle size — determine their toxicity. These findings are concerning given widespread human exposure to microplastics via food, water, and air, and the ongoing global decline in male fertility.
Comparing the effects and mechanisms of exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics with different functional groups on the male reproductive system
Scientists exposed male mice to polystyrene nanoparticles with different surface charges (unmodified, negatively charged, and positively charged) and found all three types damaged reproductive health by reducing sperm count, increasing sperm defects, and disrupting testicular tissue. The positively charged (amino-modified) nanoparticles were the most toxic, causing the greatest reproductive damage. This is important because as plastics age in the environment, they develop different surface charges that may make them more harmful to reproductive health than pristine plastic particles.
Exposure to microplastics leads to a defective ovarian function and change in cytoskeleton protein expression in rat
Researchers exposed female rats to polystyrene microplastics over multiple reproductive cycles and found, for the first time, that the particles accumulated in different parts of the ovarian tissue. The microplastics reduced ovarian weight, disrupted the normal development of egg follicles, altered the reproductive cycle, and lowered estrogen levels. The study suggests these effects are driven by oxidative stress and changes in key structural proteins within the ovary.
Polystyrene microplastics induced female reproductive toxicity in mice
Researchers exposed female mice to polystyrene microplastics for 35 days and found the particles accumulated in multiple organs including the ovaries, where they caused inflammation and oxidative stress. The microplastics reduced egg quality by lowering protective antioxidants, disrupting mitochondrial function, and altering calcium levels in the cells. This study provides evidence that microplastic exposure could harm female fertility by directly damaging the ovaries and the eggs they produce.
Surface Charges of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Affect Their Distribution in Mice
Researchers administered polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and surface charges intravenously to mice and tracked their biodistribution. Negatively charged nanoplastics accumulated more in the liver and spleen, while positively charged particles showed broader tissue distribution, demonstrating that surface charge is a key determinant of where nanoplastics end up in the body.
Cellular absorption of polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface functionalization and the toxicity to RAW264.7 macrophage cells
Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface coatings affect immune cells (macrophages) and found that positively charged amino-coated particles were the most toxic. All types of nanoplastics were absorbed into the cells, but the amino-coated ones caused the most cell membrane damage, oxidative stress, and cell death through a mitochondrial pathway. This matters because it shows that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics, not just their size, determines how dangerous they are to immune cells that serve as the body's first line of defense.
Reproductive and metabolic toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics in adult female Wistar rats: a mechanistic study
Researchers gave female rats polystyrene microplastics orally for 45 days and found disruptions to both metabolic and reproductive hormone levels, including increased cholesterol, insulin resistance, and altered sex hormones. The microplastics also caused liver fibrosis and elevated inflammatory markers. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure may contribute to metabolic and endocrine disruption in mammals.
Polystyrene microplastics cause granulosa cells apoptosis and fibrosis in ovary through oxidative stress in rats
Researchers exposed female rats to polystyrene microplastics at different concentrations for 90 days and examined the effects on their ovaries. The study found that microplastic exposure caused cell death and tissue scarring in the ovaries through oxidative stress, suggesting that microplastics may have implications for female reproductive health.
What Is on the Outside Matters—Surface Charge and Dissolve Organic Matter Association Affect the Toxicity and Physiological Mode of Action of Polystyrene Nanoplastics toC. elegans
Researchers investigated how surface charge and organic matter coatings affect the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics to the nematode C. elegans. Positively charged nanoplastics were over 60 times more toxic than negatively charged ones, and organic matter coatings reduced toxicity across all particle types. The findings suggest that surface chemistry plays a critical role in nanoplastic toxicity and should be considered when assessing environmental risks.
A review of the impact of micro‐ and nanoplastics on female reproduction: What we know and gaps in knowledge
This review examines what is known about how micro- and nanoplastics affect female reproductive health. Animal studies show these particles accumulate in ovarian tissue, disrupt hormones, and cause oxidative stress, leading to hormonal imbalances and ovarian damage, though research in humans is still limited.
Nanopolystyrene beads affect motility and reproductive success of oyster spermatozoa (Crassostrea gigas)
Polystyrene nanoplastics with positively charged surfaces caused dramatic reductions in oyster sperm motility and fertilization success at relatively low concentrations, while negatively charged particles only affected motility at higher doses. The study raises concerns about how nanoplastic surface chemistry affects reproductive success in commercially important marine species.
Hepatotoxic mechanisms of functionalized nanopolystyrene: decoding the role of ionic surface groups
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics with different surface charges via drinking water, finding that charged particles accumulate in liver sinusoids and induce hepatocyte ferroptosis through an endoplasmic reticulum stress cascade, while neutral particles cause endothelial cell senescence through lysosomal dysfunction.
Adverse health effects and mechanisms of microplastics on female reproductive system: a descriptive review
This review describes how microplastics, particularly polystyrene, can reach and accumulate in the female reproductive system through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Animal studies suggest these particles may disrupt ovarian function, hormone balance, and fertility through oxidative stress and inflammation. While human evidence is still emerging, the research raises important questions about microplastic exposure and women's reproductive health.
Role of nanoparticle surface charge in their toxicity
This study examined how surface charge (carboxyl vs. amino functionalization) affects the toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles formed during plastic degradation, noting that nanoparticle toxicity can differ substantially from bulk material. Results highlighted that surface chemistry is a critical determinant of nanoparticle behavior in biological environments.
Impact of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the entire female mouse reproductive cycle: Assessing reproductive toxicity of microplastics through in vitro follicle culture
Female mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics suffered significant damage to their reproductive systems, including ovarian cell death, abnormal egg development, and fewer offspring. The microplastics accumulated in the ovaries and triggered cell death pathways while disrupting survival signaling in the cells that support egg development, suggesting microplastic exposure could contribute to declining fertility.
Transgenerational reproductive toxicity induced by carboxyl and amino charged microplastics at environmental concentrations in Caenorhabditis elegans: Involvement of histone methylation
This study exposed tiny roundworms to polystyrene microplastics with different surface charges at environmental concentrations and found reproductive damage that persisted across multiple generations. The charged microplastics altered gene activity related to epigenetic markers called histone methylation, suggesting the damage was passed down through chemical changes to DNA packaging rather than direct genetic mutations. This raises concerns that microplastic exposure could cause lasting reproductive harm that continues even after the exposure stops.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on the female reproductive system in mice: Implications for ovarian function and follicular development
Researchers exposed female mice to polystyrene nanoplastics orally for 29 days and examined the effects on their reproductive systems. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted estrous cycles, impaired follicle development, and altered hormone levels in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that nanoplastics, due to their extremely small size, may cross biological barriers and accumulate in reproductive tissues, raising concerns about potential effects on fertility.
The risk of short-term microplastic exposure on female reproductive function: A rat model study
Researchers investigated the effects of short-term microplastic exposure on female reproductive function in rats and found that even brief exposure disrupted hormone levels and altered ovarian and uterine tissue. Higher concentrations of microplastics led to thinning of the uterine lining and changes in steroid hormone receptor expression. The study suggests that even intermittent microplastic exposure may pose risks to reproductive health.
Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on lipid profile and oxidative stress status of male and female Wistar rats
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic exposure in Wistar rats caused significant alterations in lipid profiles and increased oxidative stress markers, with effects varying between male and female rats and between pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam forms.
Life cycle exposure to differentially charged polystyrene nanoplastics leads to gender-specific particle accumulation and neurotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Zebrafish exposed to nanoplastics with different surface charges throughout their entire life cycle showed brain damage, behavior changes, and disrupted brain chemistry. The effects depended on both the type of charge on the plastic and the sex of the fish, with positively charged nanoplastics accumulating most in the brain. This research suggests that the surface properties of nanoplastics matter for their neurotoxicity and that long-term exposure could affect brain health differently in males and females.
Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on early life stages of marine invertebrates: current knowledge and future research perspectives
This review synthesizes knowledge on how polystyrene nanoparticles affect the early life stages of marine invertebrates across five phyla, finding that toxicity depends heavily on surface charge, with amino-modified particles being most harmful to embryos and larvae.
Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure at low doses on male fertility: an experimental study in rats
Researchers exposed adult male rats to varying doses of polystyrene microplastics and found dose-dependent declines in semen quality along with disrupted reproductive hormone levels. Higher doses caused increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and inflammatory responses in testicular tissue. The study suggests that even relatively low doses of microplastic exposure may have adverse effects on male reproductive health in animal models.
Mechanistic toxicity assessment of differently sized and charged polystyrene nanoparticles based on human placental cells
Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and surface charges affect human placental cells, which are critical for fetal development. Smaller nanoplastics and those with positive surface charges caused the most damage, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could potentially pose risks to placental function, highlighting the need for further research on these particles' effects during pregnancy.
The emerging risk of exposure to nano(micro)plastics on endocrine disturbance and reproductive toxicity: From a hypothetical scenario to a global public health challenge
Researchers administered polystyrene nanoplastics orally to male rats for five weeks and found significant reductions in testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, sperm DNA damage, altered testicular gene expression, and dose-dependent histological lesions, indicating that nanoplastic exposure disrupts the hormonal axis governing male reproductive function.