Papers

20 results
|
Article Tier 2

Impacts of microplastics on reproductive performance of male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pre-fed on Amphora coffeaeformis

Researchers found that microplastics caused significant blood, biochemical, and reproductive harm in male Nile tilapia, including reduced testosterone and testicular damage. However, pre-feeding fish with the diatom Amphora coffeaeformis helped protect against many of these negative effects, suggesting certain dietary supplements may help organisms cope with microplastic exposure.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 50 citations
Article Tier 2

Deleterious Effects of Polypropylene Microplastic Ingestion in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Researchers fed Nile tilapia daily doses of polypropylene microplastics for 30 days and observed significant health effects including changes in blood cell counts, altered gut bacteria, and tissue damage to the intestines and liver. The higher dose group showed more pronounced effects, including elevated inflammatory markers and signs of oxidative stress. The study provides evidence that chronic ingestion of microplastics commonly found in aquatic environments can cause meaningful harm to a widely consumed fish species.

2023 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological assessment of dietary exposure of polyethylene microplastics on growth, nutrient digestibility, carcass and gut histology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

Researchers fed Nile tilapia fish diets containing different amounts of polyethylene microplastics and found that higher levels significantly reduced growth, nutrient absorption, and body composition. Fish exposed to the highest microplastic concentration (10%) showed severe gut damage visible under a microscope. Since tilapia is widely farmed for human consumption, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination affecting both fish health and the safety of farmed seafood.

2024 Ecotoxicology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Microplastic Exposure to the Reproductive Energy and Fecundity of Female Wami Tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis, Norman 1922) Fish

Wami tilapia fry were exposed to 38-45 micrometer polyethylene microplastics for the first two months of life, and reproductive energy and fecundity were assessed over the long term. Microplastic exposure caused measurable reproductive dysfunction, reducing egg quality and fecundity in female fish.

2024 Environmental Quality Management
Article Tier 2

Toxic effects of microplastic and nanoplastic on the reproduction of teleost fish in aquatic environments

This review summarizes research on how microplastics and nanoplastics harm the reproductive systems of fish, covering effects on fertility, sperm quality, egg development, and offspring abnormalities. The tiny plastic particles enter fish through their digestive tract, gills, and skin, causing oxidative damage that disrupts reproduction at the molecular and cellular level. Since fish are a major protein source for humans, reproductive damage to fish populations could affect both food security and the transfer of microplastics through the food chain.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Multi-mechanistic effects of bisphenol A on testicular dysfunction and endocrine disruption in adult male Labeo bata: oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysregulated energy sensors

Researchers studied how bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that leaches from microplastics in water, affects reproductive function in male fish. They found that chronic BPA exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations caused significant testicular damage, including reduced sperm production, increased inflammation, and disrupted hormone signaling. The study reveals multiple mechanisms by which this common microplastic-associated chemical can impair male reproductive health in aquatic species.

2025 Environmental Pollution 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Sub-chronic exposure of Oreochromis niloticus to environmentally relevant concentrations of smaller microplastics: Accumulation and toxico-physiological responses

Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to low, environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for 14 days and found the particles accumulated in multiple organs including the brain, liver, and reproductive tissues. The fish showed changes in blood chemistry, increased stress hormones, and signs of liver and kidney dysfunction. These results suggest that even realistic levels of microplastic pollution can cause measurable physiological harm in fish.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Biochemical, Genotoxic and Histological Implications of Polypropylene Microplastics on Freshwater Fish Oreochromis mossambicus: An Aquatic Eco-Toxicological Assessment

Researchers fed polypropylene microplastics to freshwater tilapia and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and liver tissue deterioration, with more severe effects after 14 days compared to acute 96-hour exposure. The microplastics disrupted antioxidant enzyme systems and neurotransmitter activity in the fish. The study demonstrates that prolonged microplastic ingestion poses a significant ecological threat to freshwater fish species.

2023 Toxics 57 citations
Article Tier 2

Correlation of Water Quality with Microplastic Exposure Prevalence in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Researchers exposed tilapia to polyethylene microplastics at three concentrations and assessed effects on water quality and microplastic accumulation in gastrointestinal, liver, gill, and gonad tissues, finding that higher concentrations were associated with elevated microplastic prevalence and tissue-specific accumulation patterns.

2021 E3S Web of Conferences 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential of feed supplements on morphometric and gonad weight of fish exposed to microplastics

Researchers investigated whether probiotic supplements from lactic acid bacteria and Vitamin C could mitigate the effects of microplastic exposure on the morphometric measurements and gonad weight of tilapia, finding that feed supplementation supported recovery in fish exposed to microplastic-contaminated diets.

2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 2 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Effect of Microplastic Exposures to The Male Gonad Histology of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

This study found that microplastic exposure damaged the reproductive organs of male catfish, causing structural changes in gonad tissue. The findings raise concerns about microplastic effects on fish reproductive health, which could impact aquaculture productivity and suggests that these particles may pose broader reproductive risks to aquatic species in our food supply.

2023 Journal of Aquaculture and Fish Health 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Toxicological Risks and Effects of Microplastics on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) under in Vitro Laboratory Conditions

This laboratory study evaluated the toxicological effects of microplastics on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under controlled conditions, finding measurable harm at the concentrations tested. The results have implications for managing fish health in aquaculture operations with microplastic-contaminated water.

2023 East African Journal of Biophysical and Computational Sciences 4 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Effects of Microplastics on the Oxygen Consumption and Histological Changes of the Cultured Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

This study found that microplastic exposure caused tissue damage in the gills and intestines of tilapia fish, with higher concentrations leading to more severe changes. Since tilapia is widely consumed worldwide, these findings raise questions about whether microplastics in farmed fish could affect the quality and safety of the seafood on our plates.

2024 Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic toxicity in fish: A potential review on sources, impacts, and solution

This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect fish health, covering sources of contamination, physical damage, hormonal disruption, and behavioral changes. Microplastics accumulate in fish tissues and can concentrate up the food chain, with potential toxic effects passing on to humans who eat contaminated seafood. The authors discuss possible solutions including better waste management, biodegradable alternatives, and advanced water treatment.

2025 Aquatic Toxicology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrated Biomarker, Histopathological and Genotoxicity‐Based Toxicological Evaluation of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Microplastics in Oreochromis mossambicus

Researchers exposed Mozambique tilapia to polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics and found dose-dependent accumulation in gill, gut, and liver tissues. Polyethylene proved significantly more toxic, causing greater oxidative stress, metabolic disruption, and chromosomal damage as measured by micronucleus assays. The study provides evidence that different polymer types can have markedly different toxicological impacts on freshwater fish.

2025 Journal of Applied Toxicology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the aquaculture icon Oreochromis mossambicus: Prevalence, characteristics, and comprehensive overview

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the Mozambique tilapia, a widely farmed fish species in India, and found microplastics present in the digestive tracts of sampled fish. The most common types were fibers and fragments made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study raises concerns about microplastic transfer through aquaculture to human consumers, given the growing importance of tilapia farming and the rising levels of plastic pollution in Indian freshwater systems.

2024 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Histological and Histochemical Effects of Microplastics Administration in Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings

Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to two types of microplastics and examined histological and histochemical changes in gills, liver, and kidneys, finding tissue-level damage that demonstrates the harmful effects of microplastic ingestion on vital fish organs.

2023 Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. D, Histology and Histochemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the recovery of steroid levels and gonadal histopathology of tilapia exposed to polystyrene particle pollution by supplementary feed

Researchers investigated whether supplementary feed containing probiotics and vitamin C could mitigate the reproductive harm caused by polystyrene particle exposure in tilapia, assessing steroid levels and gonadal histopathology after exposure. Results indicated that plastic particle pollution negatively affected tilapia reproduction and that probiotic and vitamin C supplementation offers a potential dietary strategy to counter these effects.

2022 Veterinary World 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics may induce food dilution and endocrine disrupting effects in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), and decrease offspring quality

Fish exposed to microplastics for their entire lifecycle showed reduced growth and lower fat storage, likely because the plastic particles diluted the nutritional value of their food. Environmentally sourced microplastics (which carry absorbed pollutants) also disrupted hormones, delayed egg production, and caused birth defects in offspring -- even at low concentrations typical of real waterways. These findings suggest microplastics can harm fish populations through both nutritional and hormone-disrupting pathways.

2024 Environmental Pollution 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Microplastics on Gene Expression, Muscular Performance, and Immunological Responses in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Seasonal and Habitat Variations

Researchers found microplastics in both the gut and muscle tissue of Nile tilapia fish from two sites along the Nile River in Egypt, with contamination levels varying by season and location. The microplastics activated genes linked to muscle wasting, cell death, and inflammation while suppressing growth-related genes, with the worst effects seen during summer months. Since tilapia is a widely consumed fish, these findings raise concerns about microplastic-related damage being passed to humans through the food supply.

2025 Marine Biotechnology 5 citations