Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

The ovarian-related effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human ovarian granulosa cells and female mice

This study tested the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on both human ovarian cells in the lab and on female mice. The nanoplastics accumulated in ovarian tissue, caused cell death, disrupted hormone levels, and reduced egg quality and fertility in mice. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could threaten female reproductive health by damaging the ovaries.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 90 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics induce apoptosis, autophagy, and steroidogenesis disruption in granulosa cells to reduce oocyte quality and fertility by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in female mice

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles under 1 micrometer) impair egg cell quality in female mice by damaging the ovarian support cells that help eggs mature, triggering cell death and disrupting hormone production. These findings raise important questions about the potential reproductive risks of nanoplastic exposure in women.

2024 Journal of Nanobiotechnology 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Ovarian Granulosa Cells

Researchers exposed human granulosa-like tumor cells to polystyrene nanoplastics at increasing concentrations and measured cell viability, membrane damage, and apoptosis. Nanoplastic exposure reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 indicating significant cytotoxicity, suggesting potential harm to female ovarian granulosa cells from nanoplastic exposure.

2025 International Journal of Biology and Life Sciences
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 403 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 12 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 Toxicology 415 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics leads to ovotoxicity in female mouse offspring

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene nanoplastics throughout mating, pregnancy, and nursing, then examined the ovaries of their female offspring. They found that maternal nanoplastic exposure significantly reduced ovarian weight and follicle numbers in the offspring and lowered the expression of key antioxidant genes. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy may pose risks to the reproductive development of female offspring.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during gestation and lactation caused fertility decline in female mouse offspring

When pregnant mice were exposed to nanoplastics during pregnancy and nursing, their female offspring had significantly reduced fertility as adults. The nanoplastics caused premature activation of egg cells in the ovaries and damaged crucial connections between eggs and their supporting cells. This raises concerns that a mother's exposure to nanoplastics could have lasting effects on her daughters' ability to have children.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics lead to pyroptosis and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells via NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway in rats

In a 90-day study, female rats exposed to polystyrene microplastics had fewer healthy ovarian follicles, increased oxidative damage, and elevated inflammation in their ovaries. The microplastics triggered a type of inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis in the cells surrounding eggs, along with increased programmed cell death. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could harm female fertility by damaging the ovaries and the cells needed for healthy egg development.

2021 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 339 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Compromise Ovarian Reserve Function and Endometrial Decidualization in Early Pregnant Mice

Female mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 90 days before pregnancy had fewer successful pregnancies, smaller pups, and damaged ovaries with reduced egg counts. The nanoplastics disrupted key reproductive hormones and interfered with the uterine process needed for embryo implantation. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure through food and water could harm female fertility and pregnancy outcomes in humans.

2025 Journal of Applied Toxicology 9 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

Comparing the effects of polystyrene microplastics exposure on reproduction and fertility in male and female mice

Researchers exposed both male and female mice to polystyrene microplastics for 30 to 44 days and found that the particles accumulated more in ovaries than testes, causing oxidative stress and reproductive damage in both sexes. Male mice had fewer viable sperm and more deformed sperm, while female mice had smaller ovaries with fewer eggs, and both sexes showed altered hormone levels and reduced fertility. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could contribute to declining fertility in both men and women.

2021 Toxicology 278 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on in vitro maturation of pig cumulus-encosed oocytes

Researchers exposed pig egg cells to polystyrene nanoplastics during laboratory maturation and found that while the eggs still completed their basic development stages, the nanoplastics significantly increased harmful reactive oxygen species levels. This oxidative stress reduced the quality of resulting embryos, as indicated by fewer cells per embryo, suggesting nanoplastic exposure could be a concern for reproductive health.

2025 Research in Veterinary Science 2 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Can Mammalian Reproductive Health Withstand Massive Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Derivatives? A Systematic Review

This systematic review examined how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect reproductive health in mammals. The evidence from animal studies shows these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances in reproductive organs, raising concerns about potential effects on human fertility.

2024 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

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.

2025 International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces lysosomal enlargement and lipid droplet accumulation in KGN human ovarian granulosa cells

Researchers exposed human ovarian cells to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles entered the cells and caused abnormal enlargement of lysosomes (cellular recycling structures) and accumulation of fat droplets. These changes occurred even at concentrations that did not kill the cells outright, suggesting subtle but potentially significant damage. The findings point to a possible mechanism by which nanoplastics could impair female reproductive health.

2025 Archives of Toxicology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics differentially impact mouse ovarian follicle function

Researchers tested how polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastics affect mouse ovarian follicles at environmentally relevant doses. They found that both types inhibited follicle growth and altered gene expression related to hormone production and oxidative stress, with PET nanoplastics specifically disrupting steroid hormone pathways. The study suggests that different plastic types may affect female reproductive health through distinct mechanisms.

2025 Environmental Pollution 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of nanoparticles and nanoplastics on female reproductive health

This review examines the evidence on how nanoparticles and nanoplastics may affect female reproductive health after entering the body through dermal, oral, and inhalation routes. Researchers note that these materials have been found in human ovarian tissue, raising concern about their potential effects on fertility and reproductive outcomes. The study highlights the need for more research into the reproductive health implications of nanoplastic exposure.

2026 Biology of Reproduction
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics impair in vitro swine granulosa cell functions

Polystyrene nanoplastics at the highest tested concentration (75 µg/mL) stimulated cell proliferation and steroid hormone secretion in swine granulosa cells while also increasing oxidative stress, suggesting potential endocrine disruption in female reproductive cells.

2021 Domestic Animal Endocrinology 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Transplacental and lactational transfer of polystyrene nanoplastics leads to long-term ovarian impairment in rat offspring

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics crossed the placental barrier in rats and accumulated in fetal and postnatal ovaries, causing dose-dependent damage to follicle development and ovarian structure. Exposed offspring showed reduced primordial follicle numbers, granulosa cell disorganization, and hormonal imbalances that persisted through postnatal day 60. The study suggests that maternal nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and lactation may have long-lasting effects on female reproductive development.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances
Article Tier 2

Intergenerational and transgenerational reproductive toxicity of polystyrene microplastics in female mice

Female mice were exposed to polystyrene microplastics during lactation and researchers tracked reproductive outcomes in both exposed mothers and their offspring through multiple generations, finding that even at doses comparable to human infant bottle-feeding exposure, microplastics induced ovarian damage and reduced fertility that persisted across generations.

2025 Global Reproductive Health