Papers

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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

Gut microbiota participates in polystyrene microplastics-induced defective implantation through impairing uterine receptivity

Researchers found that oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics in mice impaired the ability of embryos to implant in the uterus by disrupting uterine receptivity. The study revealed that microplastics altered gut bacteria composition, which in turn affected hormone signaling and gene expression in the uterus. These findings suggest a gut-reproductive axis through which microplastic exposure could potentially affect fertility.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene microplastics alters placental metabolism in mice

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics and examined how placental metabolism was affected. The study found significant changes in placental metabolic pathways that could help explain the fetal growth restriction previously observed in microplastic-exposed pregnancies. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure during pregnancy may interfere with the placenta's ability to support normal fetal development.

2022 Metabolomics 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics impaired decidualization in mice via oxidative stress and inflammation and disrupted the reproductive function of their female offspring

Mouse experiments found that polystyrene microplastics impaired uterine decidualization and embryo implantation via oxidative stress and inflammation, and that maternal PS-MP exposure also disrupted the reproductive function of female offspring.

2025 Journal of Environmental Sciences
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics disturb maternal-fetal immune balance and cause reproductive toxicity in pregnant mice

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles disrupted the delicate immune balance between mother and fetus. Exposure led to increased embryo loss and altered immune cell populations at the maternal-fetal interface. The study suggests that microplastic exposure during early pregnancy may pose reproductive risks by interfering with the immune tolerance mechanisms needed for successful pregnancy.

2021 Reproductive Toxicology 199 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

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

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

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
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics disturb maternal glucose homeostasis and induce adverse pregnancy outcomes

Pregnant mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics developed abnormal blood sugar levels and experienced poor pregnancy outcomes, including placental damage and restricted fetal growth. The study found that microplastics disrupted glucose metabolism through inflammation and a cellular stress response, suggesting that microplastic exposure during pregnancy could contribute to complications similar to gestational diabetes.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 28 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 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 nanoplastic ingestion induces an increase in offspring body weight through altered lipid species and microbiota

Researchers found that when mother mice ingested nanoplastics derived from polystyrene and polypropylene during pregnancy and nursing, their offspring showed increased body weight gain. The weight changes were associated with alterations in fat metabolism and shifts in gut microbiome composition in the pups. The study suggests that maternal exposure to nanoplastic pollution may act as an environmental factor contributing to weight gain in offspring.

2024 Environment International 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics induce biochemical and metabolism changes in human placental explants

Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human placental cells, finding that exposure altered biochemical pathways and metabolic activity. The results suggest that microplastics reaching the placenta can disrupt cellular functions important for fetal development.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Placental and fetal enrichment of microplastics from disposable paper cups: implications for metabolic and reproductive health during pregnancy

When researchers gave pregnant mice microplastics extracted from disposable paper cups at levels matching normal daily use, the particles accumulated in 13 different tissues including the placenta and fetal organs. The exposed mice showed disrupted metabolism and reproductive hormone changes, with female offspring developing ovarian damage, suggesting that something as routine as drinking hot beverages from paper cups could expose developing babies to harmful microplastics.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 38 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

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

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
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 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

Paternal Microplastic Exposure Alters Sperm Small Noncoding RNAs and Affects Offspring Metabolic Health in Mice

Researchers found that paternal microplastic exposure in mice altered sperm small noncoding RNA profiles and had sex-specific effects on offspring metabolic health, including altered body composition and worsened insulin resistance in female offspring fed a high-fat diet. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may cause intergenerational health effects transmitted through epigenetic changes in sperm.

2025 Journal of the Endocrine Society 1 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

Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure

Researchers fed mice polystyrene microplastics of two sizes and tracked where the particles accumulated in the body, finding them in the liver, kidneys, and gut with distribution patterns depending on particle size. Biochemical analysis revealed that microplastic exposure disrupted energy and fat metabolism, caused oxidative stress, and altered markers of neurotoxicity in the blood. The study provides evidence that microplastics can accumulate in mammalian tissues and may pose widespread health risks.

2017 Scientific Reports 1354 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics from disposable paper cups are enriched in the placenta and fetus, leading to metabolic and reproductive toxicity during pregnancy

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to microplastics released from disposable paper cups filled with hot water, simulating human daily intake levels. They found dose-dependent accumulation of microplastic particles across 13 tissues including the placenta and fetus, with the smallest particles concentrating in brain tissue. The study suggests that even moderate exposure levels during pregnancy may lead to metabolic and reproductive effects, as indicated by changes in gut microbiome composition and gene expression patterns.

2024 3 citations