Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Toxicities Demonstrated in Dams and Neonates following Intragastric Intubation of Polyethylene Microplastics to Pregnant Mice

Researchers found that intragastric administration of polyethylene microplastics to pregnant mice caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and reproductive toxicity in dams, with evidence of transplacental transfer producing developmental abnormalities in neonates.

2021 Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences 7 citations
Article Tier 2

No prominent toxicity of polyethylene microplastics observed in neonatal mice following intratracheal instillation to dams during gestational and neonatal period

Researchers administered polyethylene microplastics to pregnant mice via intratracheal instillation during gestation and found no prominent systemic toxicity in neonates at postnatal day 7, though the study used a limited dose range and timeframe.

2021 Toxicological Research 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of micro- and nanoplastic particles in postnatal sprague-dawley rat offspring after maternal inhalation exposure throughout gestation

Pregnant rats that inhaled micro- and nanoplastic particles throughout gestation passed them to their offspring, with plastic particles detected in pup tissues after birth. This is one of the first studies to show that inhaled microplastics can cross the placental barrier during pregnancy and persist in offspring, raising concerns about prenatal exposure from airborne plastic pollution.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal ingestion of polyethylene microplastics results in reduced antiviral responses by dysregulating the immune system in their progeny

Researchers found that mice exposed to polyethylene microplastics during pregnancy transferred particles to offspring, and those offspring showed impaired antiviral immune responses. The findings suggest that maternal microplastic exposure can programme immune dysfunction in the next generation through disruption of developing immune systems.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastic inhalation during pregnancy: Impacts on uteroplacental function and offspring health

This review examined evidence that inhaled micro- and nanoplastics during pregnancy accumulate in placental and fetal tissues, impair uteroplacental blood flow and immune function, and are associated with adverse developmental outcomes in offspring, identifying inhalation as a critical but understudied exposure route.

2025 Rutgers University Community Repository (Rutgers University)
Article Tier 2

In vivo toxicity assessment of microplastics in Balb/C mice : study of inhalation exposure and its inflammatory effects

Researchers examined the in vivo toxicity of inhaled microplastics in Balb/C mice, studying pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic effects following repeated inhalation exposure. The study found dose-dependent lung inflammation and evidence of particle translocation to other organs.

2024 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to nanoscale polystyrene particles through inhalation and tracked where the particles traveled. They found that the nanoplastics crossed from the lungs into the bloodstream and accumulated in both placental and fetal tissues, confirming that inhaled plastic nanoparticles can reach developing offspring during pregnancy.

2020 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 428 citations
Article Tier 2

Oral exposure to polyethylene microplastics induces inflammatory and metabolic changes and promotes fibrosis in mouse liver.

Mice fed polyethylene microplastics in their food for 6 to 9 weeks developed liver inflammation, metabolic disruption, oxidative stress, and increased cell growth in the liver. The microplastics also worsened liver scarring (fibrosis) when tested in mice with pre-existing liver damage. This is the first study to show that ingesting polyethylene, the most common type of plastic, can directly damage the mammalian liver and could worsen existing liver conditions.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastic gestational exposure on mice

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to airborne polystyrene nanoplastics and studied the effects on both mothers and offspring. High-dose exposure caused fatty liver disease in the mothers and in adult female offspring, but not in male offspring, with each group showing different underlying molecular mechanisms. The study suggests that prenatal exposure to airborne nanoplastics may have sex-specific effects on metabolic health that persist into adulthood.

2023 Chemosphere 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal polystyrene nanoplastics exposure during pregnancy induces obesity development in adult offspring through disrupting lipid homeostasis

Researchers found that maternal inhalation exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy induced obesity development in adult offspring of mice, suggesting in utero exposure to airborne nanoplastics programs metabolic dysfunction. The study linked prenatal nanoplastic exposure to increased adiposity and metabolic changes persisting into adulthood.

2024
Article Tier 2

Potential health impact of environmental micro‐ and nanoplastics pollution

This review examines the potential health impacts of micro- and nanoplastic pollution on humans, focusing on oral and inhalation exposure routes. The study discusses how the potential toxicity of plastic particles arises from the plastics themselves, leachable chemical additives, and adsorbed environmental contaminants. Evidence indicates that the primary health concerns involve gastrointestinal and liver effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism disruption as key toxicological mechanisms.

2019 Journal of Applied Toxicology 312 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and fetal liver function

Researchers detected microplastics in the placentas of nearly 90% of over 1,000 pregnant women and found that higher placental microplastic levels were linked to elevated liver enzymes in umbilical cord blood. This suggests that microplastics crossing the placenta may affect fetal liver function before birth, raising concerns about the health effects of prenatal plastic exposure.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics incurred placental damage in mice: Insights into metabolic and gene expression disorders

This mouse study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to tiny polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers), the particles crossed the placenta and reached fetal livers and brains, causing placental damage and impaired fetal development. Larger microplastics (5 micrometers) were less able to cross the placenta, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk during pregnancy.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanopolystyrene Translocation and Fetal Deposition After Acute Lung Exposure During Late-Stage Pregnancy

Nanopolystyrene particles inhaled by pregnant mice during late pregnancy crossed into the bloodstream and deposited in fetal tissues. This finding raises concern that airborne nanoplastics could pose a risk to fetal development, especially given growing human exposure to plastic particles in indoor and outdoor air.

2020 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to different sizes of polystyrene microplastics during gestation causes metabolic disorders in their offspring

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes during gestation and examined metabolic effects in their offspring. They found that maternal microplastic exposure altered cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and amino acid metabolism in the offspring, with larger 5-micrometer particles causing more pronounced effects. The study suggests that prenatal microplastic exposure may increase the risk of metabolic disorders in the next generation.

2019 Environmental Pollution 303 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics Causes Fetal Growth Restriction in Mice

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene micro and nanoplastics and found that exposure caused fetal growth restriction and placental abnormalities. The study observed that plastic particles accumulated in placental tissue and disrupted normal placental function. These findings raise concern that maternal exposure to plastic particles during pregnancy may interfere with fetal development.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 93 citations
Article Tier 2

The Impact of Maternal Nanoplastic and Microplastic Particle Exposure on Mammal’s Offspring

This review summarizes research on how a mother's exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics during pregnancy can affect her developing baby. Studies show that these tiny plastic particles can cross the placenta and reach the fetus, potentially harming brain development, the reproductive system, metabolism, and the immune system of offspring. The review calls for more research using realistic exposure levels to better understand the risks of prenatal microplastic exposure to human babies.

2024 Cells 15 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Health Implications of Microplastic Exposure in Pregnancy and Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastic exposure during pregnancy and early childhood may affect health. The evidence shows that microplastics can reach the placenta and may cause oxidative stress and inflammation, raising concerns about potential effects on fetal development and infant health during these vulnerable life stages.

2025 International Journal of Women s Health 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanopolystyrene translocation and fetal deposition after acute lung exposure during late-stage pregnancy

This animal study found that nanopolystyrene particles inhaled by pregnant mice during late pregnancy were transferred across the placenta and deposited in fetal tissues. The findings provide experimental evidence that airborne nanoplastics can reach unborn fetuses, raising serious concerns about developmental exposure from breathing indoor or outdoor air containing plastic particles.

2020 Research Square (Research Square) 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during gestation and lactation induces hepatic and testicular toxicity in male mouse offspring

Researchers exposed pregnant and nursing mice to polystyrene nanoplastics and studied the effects on their male offspring. The offspring showed reduced body weight, liver damage with inflammation and disrupted sugar metabolism, and testicular harm including decreased sperm counts. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause significant organ damage in the next generation.

2022 Food and Chemical Toxicology 168 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics-induced altered glycolipid metabolism in the liver: A comparative study between pregnant and non-pregnant mice

Researchers compared glycolipid metabolism effects of polystyrene nanoplastics in pregnant versus non-pregnant mice, finding that pregnancy amplified hepatic lipid disruption, with both low and high doses impairing fat metabolism and altering glucose regulation more severely during gestation.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

Repeated-oral dose toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and the possible implications on reproduction and development of the next generation

Researchers administered polyethylene microplastics to mice by oral gavage for 90 days and observed significant effects including reduced body weight gain, increased neutrophil counts, and immune system changes. Microplastic-like material persisted in stomach tissue, and immune markers were altered in treated animals. A follow-up reproductive study found that microplastic exposure affected the number of live births, sex ratio of pups, and offspring immune cell populations, suggesting the need for further reproductive toxicity testing.

2020 Toxicology Letters 280 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure during Gestation and Lactation Altered Metabolic Homeostasis in the Dams and Their F1 and F2 Offspring

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics during pregnancy and nursing and found significant metabolic disruptions in both the mothers and their offspring across two generations. The microplastics altered lipid metabolism, gut microbiota composition, and key metabolic signaling pathways. The study suggests that microplastic exposure during critical developmental windows may have lasting health consequences that pass to future generations.

2019 Environmental Science & Technology 359 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles retarded fetal growth and triggered metabolic disorders of placenta and fetus in mice

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through drinking water and found that higher concentrations led to significantly reduced fetal weight. The nanoplastics caused abnormal cell structures in the placenta and disrupted metabolic processes in both placental tissue and fetal livers. The study suggests that maternal nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy can cross the placental barrier and interfere with normal fetal growth and metabolism.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 133 citations