Papers

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Article Tier 2

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the underlying mechanisms for male reproductive toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in mouse spermatocyte-derived GC-2spd(ts) cells

Researchers used integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis to investigate how polystyrene nanoplastics affect mouse spermatocyte cells. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted lipid metabolism, triggered oxidative stress, and activated cell death pathways in the reproductive cells. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure may pose risks to male reproductive health by interfering with critical metabolic and gene expression processes in developing sperm cells.

2024 Toxicology in Vitro 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal the mechanisms involved in polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt spermatogenesis in mice

Using advanced genetic and protein analysis, researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics disrupted sperm production in male mice after 28 days of exposure. The nanoplastics reduced sperm count and movement, damaged the structure of sperm-producing tubes, triggered cell death, and lowered hormone levels needed for male fertility. This study provides detailed molecular evidence for how nanoplastic exposure could contribute to male reproductive problems.

2023 Environmental Pollution 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity to the Male Reproductive System after Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics: A Macrogenomic and Metabolomic Analysis

Researchers exposed male mice to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes through their drinking water for four months and found significant harm to reproductive function. The nanoplastics disrupted gene activity and metabolic pathways in the gut, which was linked to reduced sperm quality and testicular damage. The study suggests that long-term nanoplastic exposure through drinking water may pose risks to male reproductive health.

2024 Toxics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

The mouse model of induced sperm DNA damage caused by polystyrene microplastics exhibited distinct transcriptomic and proteomic features

Researchers established a mouse model of polystyrene microplastic-induced sperm DNA damage by administering 1 mg/kg/day for 60 days, which significantly elevated the sperm DNA fragmentation index, and characterized the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles associated with this reproductive toxicity.

2025 Reproductive Biology
Article Tier 2

Whole transcriptome characterization of polystyrene microplastic-induced sperm DNA damage mouse spermatocytes model

Researchers used whole transcriptome sequencing to investigate how polystyrene microplastics cause DNA damage in mouse sperm cells. They found that microplastic exposure significantly increased DNA fragmentation and altered the expression of numerous genes involved in immune response and cellular defense pathways. The study suggests that microplastics may harm sperm DNA integrity primarily by disrupting immune-related and oxidative stress pathways.

2025 Human & Experimental Toxicology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Multi-omics analysis of testis after long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reveals premature testicular aging and age-dependent damage in mice

Researchers used multi-omics analysis to study the effects of long-term polystyrene nanoplastic exposure on mouse testes and found signs of premature testicular aging. The damage was dependent on both the age of the mice and the duration of exposure, with younger animals showing particular vulnerability. The study suggests that protecting mRNA metabolism and testosterone production could help preserve reproductive function in males exposed to nanoplastics.

2025 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics impairs sperm metabolism and pre-implantation embryo development in mice

This study found that male mice given polystyrene nanoplastics by mouth showed significant harm to sperm function and early embryo development, with changes in gene expression that could affect offspring. The findings raise concerns that nanoplastic exposure could impair male fertility and potentially pass harmful effects to the next generation.

2025 Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Sperm Functionality: An In Vitro Study of Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity and Fertility-Related Genes Expression

Researchers exposed human sperm samples to polystyrene microplastics in the lab and observed decreased sperm vitality and motility in a time-dependent manner. The microplastics also caused DNA damage, increased harmful reactive oxygen species, and reduced the expression of genes essential for fertilization. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could impair male fertility through oxidative stress and interference with key reproductive functions.

2025 Toxics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrated fecal microbiome and metabolome analysis explore the link between polystyrene nanoplastics exposure and male reproductive toxicity in mice

Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and doses, then analyzed fecal microbiome and metabolome changes alongside reproductive outcomes. The study found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted gut microbiota balance and metabolic pathways, which correlated with reduced sperm count, viability, and testosterone levels. The findings suggest that gut microbiota-metabolite disruption may play an important role in nanoplastic-induced male reproductive toxicity.

2023 Environmental Toxicology 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Short-term polystyrene nanoplastic exposure alters zebrafish male and female germline and reproductive outcomes, unveiling pollutant-impacted molecular pathways

A short 96-hour exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics harmed both male and female reproductive cells in zebrafish. In males, nanoplastics crossed the testicular barrier, entered reproductive cells directly, and caused abnormal sperm with reduced movement. In females, the exposure disrupted egg development, suggesting that even brief nanoplastic contact could impair fertility in aquatic species and raising questions about similar risks for human reproductive health.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce male reproductive toxicity in mice by activating spermatogonium mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis

A mouse study found that polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced sperm count and motility while increasing sperm deformities. The damage was caused by oxidative stress in the energy-producing mitochondria of sperm-forming cells, which triggered cell death -- raising concerns about microplastics' potential impact on male fertility.

2024 Chemico-Biological Interactions 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of Biological and Molecular Attributes Related to Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and Its Reversibility in Male Mice

Researchers exposed male mice to polystyrene microplastics through drinking water and found that the particles caused mitochondrial damage in testicular tissue, including reduced membrane potential and disrupted energy production. This mitochondrial dysfunction led to decreased sperm quality, likely driven by oxidative stress. Importantly, the study found that sperm quality recovered after one to two spermatogenic cycles without further exposure, suggesting that reproductive toxicity from microplastics may be reversible.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Gut microbiota combined with metabolome dissects long-term nanoplastics exposure-induced disturbed spermatogenesis

Researchers studied how long-term exposure to nanoplastics affects sperm production in mice by analyzing changes in gut bacteria and metabolic pathways. They found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted spermatogenesis, with amino-modified nanoplastics causing more severe effects than standard polystyrene particles. The study suggests that nanoplastics may harm male reproductive health by altering gut microbiota and lipid metabolism.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics aggravate reproductive system damage in obese male mice by perturbation of the testis redox homeostasis

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics worsened reproductive damage in male mice already fed a high-fat diet, reducing sperm quality and testosterone production beyond what obesity alone caused. The nanoplastics disrupted the protective blood-testis barrier and increased oxidative stress in reproductive tissues. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure combined with obesity may create compounding risks to male fertility.

2023 Environmental Toxicology 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Long‐term nanoplastics exposure contributes to impaired steroidogenesis by disrupting the hypothalamic‐testis axis: Evidence from integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis

Researchers exposed male mice to nanoplastics for 12 weeks and found that long-term exposure disrupted the hormonal signaling pathway between the brain and testes, leading to reduced sperm quality and lower testosterone levels. Evidence indicates that the disruption involved changes in key enzymes and metabolic pathways responsible for producing reproductive hormones.

2024 Journal of Applied Toxicology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt epididymal initial segment by perturbing NK cell differentiation and epithelial homeostasis

Using single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics analysis, researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the epididymal initial segment in mice by perturbing natural killer cell differentiation and epithelial homeostasis. The work reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which nanoplastics may impair sperm maturation and male fertility.

2025 Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Environmental Pollution 297 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Microplastics Affect the Reproductive Performance of Male Mice and Lipid Homeostasis in Their Offspring

Researchers found that long-term exposure to environmentally relevant doses of polystyrene microplastics over 21 weeks significantly impaired reproductive function in male mice, including decreased testicle weight and sperm quality. The study also revealed transgenerational effects, with offspring showing disrupted lipid homeostasis.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Disrupts Spermatogenesis in Mouse Offspring by Inducing Prdm14 Overexpression in Undifferentiated Spermatogonia

When pregnant mice were exposed to nanoplastics (extremely small plastic particles), their male offspring had lower testosterone, fewer sperm, and damaged sperm-producing cells. The nanoplastics caused inflammation in the cells responsible for sperm production, disrupting a key gene (Prdm14) that controls sperm development. This suggests that a mother's plastic exposure during pregnancy could affect her sons' fertility later in life.

2025 ACS Nano 16 citations
Article Tier 2

In Vitro Nano-Polystyrene Toxicity: Metabolic Dysfunctions and Cytoprotective Responses of Human Spermatozoa

Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (50 and 100 nm) on mature human sperm cell metabolism in vitro. The study found that smaller 50 nm particles showed higher toxicity, causing acrosomal damage, oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and decreased mitochondrial activity, while 100 nm particles primarily affected the acrosome, suggesting size-dependent impacts of nanoplastics on reproductive cell function.

2023 Biology 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene microparticles exposures on spermatogenic cell differentiation and reproductive endpoints in male mice

Researchers found that very small polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers) accumulated in mouse testicular tissue and sperm-producing cells, leading to reduced sperm quality and impaired reproductive function. The particles triggered oxidative stress and disrupted the normal process of sperm cell development. This study adds to growing evidence that microplastic exposure could contribute to male fertility problems in humans, particularly from the smallest particles that can penetrate reproductive tissues.

2025 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induced male reproductive toxicity in mice

Researchers exposed male mice to polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and found that the particles accumulated in testicular tissue and entered reproductive cells. After 28 days of exposure, sperm quality and testosterone levels declined, and tissue examination revealed disorganized sperm-producing cells and inflammation. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male reproductive health in mammals.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 607 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice

Male mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics for six weeks showed significant reproductive damage, including reduced sperm count and motility, lower testosterone levels, and visible tissue damage in the testes. The microplastics caused oxidative stress and triggered cell death pathways in the reproductive tissue. These findings add to growing evidence that microplastic exposure could contribute to declining male fertility.

2024 Food and Chemical Toxicology 12 citations