Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

A single-cell atlas of the single versus multiple parous Hu Sheep ovary

This is a sheep reproductive biology study using single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate differences in ovarian gene expression between high- and low-fertility ewes; it is not a microplastics research paper.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Single-cell sequencing reveals the reproductive variations between primiparous and multiparous Hu ewes

Researchers used single-cell sequencing to compare reproductive differences between first-time and experienced mother Hu ewes. The study identified key differences in gene expression within granulosa cells, suggesting these cells play a critical role in determining reproductive capacity. Several specific genes were highlighted as important regulators of follicular development and overall fecundity in sheep.

2023 Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology/Journal of animal science and biotechnology 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Transcriptome Profiling of Developing Testes and Spermatogenesis in the Qianbei Ma Goat

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it uses RNA sequencing to profile gene expression changes during testis development and spermatogenesis in Qianbei Ma goats at different stages of maturity.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Insect Insights at the Single-Cell Level: Technologies and Applications

This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and their applications in insect biology research.

2023 Cells 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt ovarian development via cytoskeletal remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming particularly in granulosa cells

Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to map polystyrene nanoplastic toxicity in mouse ovaries, identifying granulosa cells as the primary target and showing that 100 nm particles trigger F-actin cytoskeletal remodeling, STAT1-driven epigenetic reprogramming, and necroptosis, disrupting follicle development and hormone production.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics on the Central Reproductive Neuroendocrine System in a Sheep Model

Scientists gave sheep tiny plastic particles (microplastics) and found they disrupted the brain signals that control reproduction by lowering key hormones needed for fertility. Since humans are constantly exposed to microplastics from food packaging, water bottles, and other sources, this study suggests these particles might be interfering with our reproductive health too. This research helps explain why fertility rates have been declining and highlights the need to reduce plastic pollution in our environment.

2026 International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Article Tier 2

Microplastics are present in women’s and cows’ follicular fluid and polystyrene microplastics compromise bovine oocyte function in vitro

Researchers detected microplastics in both women's and cows' follicular fluid for the first time, and showed that polystyrene microplastics impair bovine oocyte function in vitro, raising concern that environmental microplastic exposure may be contributing to declining reproductive health.

2022 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Size-Dependent Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Immune and Secretory Cell Populations from Zebrafish Intestines

Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to examine how different sizes of polystyrene microplastics affect intestinal cell populations in zebrafish. The study revealed size-dependent effects on immune and secretory cell populations, providing a detailed transcriptomic view of how microplastics disrupt intestinal function at the individual cell level and alter the interplay between intestinal cells and gut microbiota.

2020 Environmental Science & Technology 232 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrative Proteomics and Transcriptomics Profiles of the Oviduct Reveal the Prolificacy-Related Candidate Biomarkers of Goats (Capra hircus) in Estrous Periods

Integrative proteomics and transcriptomics of goat oviducts during estrous periods identified molecular networks regulating gamete storage, fertilization, and early embryonic development in high-prolificacy animals. The findings advance understanding of fecundity regulation at the molecular level in livestock reproductive biology.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics are present in women’s and cows’ follicular fluid and polystyrene microplastics compromise bovine oocyte function in vitro

Researchers detected microplastics in follicular fluid from both women and cows and showed that polystyrene microplastics disrupt oocyte development, providing the first evidence that microplastics can penetrate reproductive barriers and potentially contribute to the global decline in fertility.

2023 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Profiling Cellular Heterogeneity and Specific Responses of Fish Gills to Microplastics and Nanoplastics

Using advanced single-cell sequencing, researchers mapped how individual cell types in fish gills respond differently to micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Microplastics mainly affected immune cells called macrophages, while nanoplastics primarily targeted T cells, and a structural cell type called fibroblasts was especially sensitive to microplastics. This detailed cell-level view reveals that plastic particles of different sizes can trigger distinct immune and tissue responses.

2024 Environmental Science & Technology 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastic (MNPs) exposure at single-cell resolution impaired placental function and cellular dynamics

Researchers performed single-cell transcriptomic analysis of placentas from pregnant women exposed to micro- and nanoplastics, finding that MNP exposure altered trophoblast, macrophage, and fibroblast subpopulations, suggesting impaired placental function through disruption of cell communication and immune regulation.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

Microplastics are present in women’s and cows’ follicular fluid and polystyrene microplastics compromise bovine oocyte function in vitro

Researchers detected microplastics in the follicular fluid of both women and cows, marking one of the first studies to find these particles in reproductive tissues. In laboratory tests, polystyrene microplastics impaired bovine egg cell function at concentrations comparable to what was found in the follicular fluid. The findings raise questions about whether microplastic exposure could be a contributing factor in the widespread declines in reproductive health observed in recent decades.

2023 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Food nutrition and toxicology targeting on specific organs in the era ofsingle-cell sequencing

This review examines how single-cell sequencing technologies can reveal organ-specific effects of food nutrients and toxicants, including contaminants like microplastics, by uncovering cellular heterogeneity and tissue-biased responses that traditional methods miss.

2023 Food Science and Human Wellness 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Effective multi-modal clustering method via skip aggregation network for parallel scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq data

This paper presents a new computational method for analyzing single-cell genomic data by clustering cells based on both their gene expression and chromatin accessibility patterns. The technique uses a skip aggregation network to better integrate information from multiple data types. While not related to microplastics, this type of advanced analytical tool could potentially be applied to study how microplastic exposure affects gene expression at the single-cell level in human tissues.

2024 Briefings in Bioinformatics 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Microdiversity Within Marine Bacterial Taxa: Toward an Integrated Biogeography in the Southern Ocean

Researchers used advanced sequencing techniques to study the fine-scale diversity and geographic distribution of bacteria in the Southern Ocean. Understanding ocean microbial communities is relevant to microplastic research because plastics in the ocean host distinct microbial communities that can alter local ecology.

2021 Frontiers in Microbiology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics in follicular fluid are associated with diminished ovarian reserve: clinical and molecular insights

Researchers found that microplastics and nanoplastics present in follicular fluid are associated with diminished ovarian reserve in women. The study provides evidence suggesting that exposure to these particles may harm female ovarian function. The findings point to the environment-gut-ovarian axis as a potential pathway through which micro- and nanoplastic exposure could contribute to reproductive health concerns.

2026 Journal of Advanced Research
Article Tier 2

DRscDB: A single-cell RNA-seq resource for data mining and data comparison across species

This paper describes a new database for analyzing single-cell gene expression data across different animal species including fruit flies. This genomics database tool is unrelated to microplastic research.

2021 4 citations
Article Tier 2

P-762 Discovery and quantification of microplastics in human cumulus granulosa cells

Researchers detected microplastics for the first time in human cumulus granulosa cells and follicular fluid, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types found. The study examined 16 women undergoing assisted reproduction and found that higher microplastic concentrations in these reproductive cells were associated with poorer outcomes in fertility treatments. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination of the female reproductive system may warrant further investigation as a potential factor in reproductive health.

2024 Human Reproduction 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Size- and hydrophobicity-dependent accumulation of microplastics in follicular fluid is linked to impaired ovarian reserve in women undergoing medically assisted reproduction

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in follicular fluid and blood from women undergoing fertility treatment and found that nearly all samples contained microplastics. Higher microplastic concentrations in follicular fluid were significantly associated with reduced oocyte yield and lower odds of pregnancy, with evidence suggesting that certain hydrophobic polymers selectively accumulate in the ovary.

2026
Article Tier 2

Improving bacterial metagenomic research through long read sequencing

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper compares short-read and long-read DNA sequencing strategies for analyzing microbial communities (metagenomics), with no connection to plastic pollution.

2023
Article Tier 2

High Prolactin Concentration Induces Ovarian Granulosa Cell Oxidative Stress, Leading to Apoptosis Mediated by L-PRLR and S-PRLR

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it investigates how high prolactin concentrations induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in ovine ovarian granulosa cells, a reproductive endocrinology study.

2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Molecular dominance investigation for large-sized parents of Chinese Mitten Crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ) based on ovarian transcriptome

This transcriptomics study compared ovarian gene expression in large and small Chinese mitten crabs to understand why offspring from larger parents perform better. It is a crab aquaculture genetics study not related to microplastics or human health.

2020 Research Square (Research Square)
Meta Analysis Tier 1

The effects of exposure to microplastics on female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis pools data from multiple studies to assess how microplastic exposure affects female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes. The findings suggest that microplastic accumulation may be linked to adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy, highlighting an important and underexplored area of concern for women's health.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology 7 citations