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Reproductive & Development
3,270 resultsEffects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review
This systematic review examined studies on how microplastic exposure affects human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory health. Early evidence suggests links to gut inflammation, reproductive issues, and lung irritation, though the review notes that more high-quality human studies are urgently needed.
An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Evaluating Associations between Human Health and Exposure to Major Classes of Plastic-Associated Chemicals
This umbrella review — a review of existing meta-analyses — assessed the health effects of chemicals found in plastics, including BPA, phthalates, and PFAS. The evidence links these plastic-associated chemicals to hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic issues, and increased cancer risk across many studies.
Microplastics comprehensive review: Impact on honey bee, occurrence in honey and health risk evaluation
This systematic review examines how microplastics contaminate honey through bees and their environment. The findings show that bees accumulate microplastics from polluted air, water, and soil, which can then end up in honey — a product many people consume for its health benefits.
Impact of microplastics on female reproductive health: insights from animal and human experimental studies: a systematic review
This systematic review of 15 experimental studies found that microplastic exposure significantly impairs ovarian function, decreases fertility rates, and disrupts hormone levels in female subjects. Several studies also reported negative effects on embryo development and offspring health, though study quality varied and more rigorous research is needed to confirm mechanisms.
Microplastics in human skeletal tissues: Presence, distribution and health implications
This study is the first to find microplastics in human bones, cartilage, and spinal discs, with the highest concentrations found in spinal discs. The most common plastics detected were polypropylene and polystyrene, and animal experiments confirmed that microplastics can reach skeletal tissues through the bloodstream. Exposure triggered inflammatory markers in the blood, suggesting microplastics in bones could contribute to skeletal health problems.
First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: An emerging threat to female fertility
For the first time, researchers detected microplastic particles in the fluid surrounding eggs in human ovaries. Tiny plastic particles were found in 14 out of 18 women undergoing fertility treatment, and higher microplastic levels correlated with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, a key reproductive hormone. While no direct link to fertility outcomes was confirmed in this small study, the findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure and female reproductive health.
Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Humans: Distribution, Exposure, and Toxicological Effects
This meta-analysis tracked the rapid growth of research on microplastics and human health, finding a shift from studying environmental pollution toward understanding direct human exposure and health effects. Emerging concerns include reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and immune system disruption from microplastic exposure.
Polylactic Acid Micro/Nanoplastic Exposure Induces Male Reproductive Toxicity by Disrupting Spermatogenesis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice
Even so-called "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic (polylactic acid, or PLA) was found to cause reproductive harm in male mice. After breaking down in the digestive system, tiny PLA nanoparticles crossed into the testes and damaged sperm quality, mitochondria (the energy producers in cells), and hormone levels. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safe and highlights potential risks to male fertility.
Adsorption of Emerging Contaminants on Microplastics in the Environment: A Systematic Review
This systematic review found that microplastics can absorb and carry other harmful chemicals — like pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals — through the environment. This "hitchhiker effect" means microplastics may deliver concentrated doses of toxic substances to organisms and potentially to humans.
Molecular and Cellular Effects of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Focus on Inflammation and Senescence
This review summarizes research showing that micro- and nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature cell aging across many experimental models. These are the same biological processes linked to heart disease, brain disorders, and other age-related conditions. Particularly concerning, studies in animals show that plastic-related damage can be passed from parents to offspring, suggesting potential long-term generational health effects.
A Systematic Review of the Placental Translocation of Micro- and Nanoplastics
Nine out of eleven studies confirmed that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the placental barrier, with translocation depending on particle size, charge, chemical modification, and protein corona formation. Animal and in vitro studies showed emerging evidence of placental and fetal toxicity from plastic particle exposure.
Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis
Researchers found microplastics in every dog and human testis sample tested, with human testes containing nearly three times more plastic than dog testes. Polyethylene was the dominant plastic type in both species, and certain plastics like PVC and PET were associated with lower testis weight. These findings suggest that widespread microplastic contamination of the male reproductive system could be contributing to declining sperm counts.
Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review
A systematic review of 12 studies confirmed the presence of microplastics ranging from 2.1 to 100 micrometers in human placentas and fetal tissue. Microplastic levels correlated with reduced birthweight, affected gestational age, diminished microbiome diversity, and impaired fetal growth and development, with lifestyle choices influencing placental microplastic burden.
Reproductive and developmental implications of micro- and nanoplastic internalization: Recent advances and perspectives
This systematic review documented the detection of micro- and nanoplastics in human semen, placenta, and ovarian follicular fluid, and found evidence linking exposure to impaired sperm quality, disrupted ovarian function, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In animal models, MNPs caused developmental toxicity and transgenerational effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modification identified as key mechanisms.
Quantitation and identification of microplastics accumulation in human placental specimens using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry
Researchers analyzed 62 human placenta samples and found microplastics in every single one, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 685 micrograms per gram of tissue. Polyethylene, the most common plastic in everyday products, made up 54% of the plastics found. This widespread presence of microplastics in placentas raises concerns about fetal exposure during pregnancy and potential effects on development.
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.
Disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics led to spermatogenesis disorder in mice exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics caused spermatogenesis disorders in mice by disrupting mitochondrial dynamics, triggering excessive mitochondrial fission that activated both apoptosis and pyroptosis pathways in testicular tissue. Nanoplastics caused mitochondrial DNA to leak into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING inflammatory pathway — a mechanism confirmed by rescue experiments with a mitochondrial fission inhibitor.
Microplastics exposure: implications for human fertility, pregnancy and child health
This review examines growing evidence that microplastics accumulate in the human placenta and may affect pregnancy outcomes and child development. Given that exposure during pregnancy can program lifelong health in offspring, the presence of these tiny plastic particles in reproductive tissues raises important concerns about fertility, pregnancy complications, and children's health.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Activate Autophagy and Suppress Trophoblast Cell Migration/Invasion and Migrasome Formation to Induce Miscarriage
In mouse and cell studies, polystyrene nanoplastics at doses near real-world human exposure levels caused miscarriage by blocking the movement of placental cells needed for a healthy pregnancy. The nanoplastics triggered a cellular recycling process called autophagy that broke down key proteins required for placental cell migration and invasion.
Exposure to microplastics and human reproductive outcomes: A systematic review
This systematic review examined evidence linking microplastic exposure to reproductive health problems in humans. While early findings raise concerns, the review emphasizes that more high-quality studies are needed to clearly establish how microplastics affect fertility and reproduction.
Role of Soil Microbiota Enzymes in Soil Health and Activity Changes Depending on Climate Change and the Type of Soil Ecosystem
This review examines how soil microorganism enzymes drive the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and how climate change and farming practices are altering these critical processes. While not focused on microplastics specifically, soil enzyme activity is a key indicator of soil health and can be disrupted by pollutants including plastic particles. Understanding these enzyme systems helps researchers assess how microplastic contamination may affect soil fertility and ecosystem function.
Features, Potential Invasion Pathways, and Reproductive Health Risks of Microplastics Detected in Human Uterus
Researchers found microplastics in the uterine lining of 22 women, identifying common plastics like polyamide, polyurethane, and PET in sizes ranging from 2 to 200 micrometers. In mouse experiments, microplastic exposure led to reduced fertility, abnormal offspring sex ratios, and significant uterine inflammation. These findings raise serious concerns about the potential impact of microplastic contamination on female reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes.
A review of potential human health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics exposure
This systematic review summarized 133 studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect human health based on mammalian research. The evidence points to cell damage, inflammation, gut disruption, and reproductive harm, though most studies focused on polystyrene particles and more research is needed on other common plastic types.
Nanoparticles as catalysts of agricultural revolution: enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress: a review
This review looks at how nanoparticles can help crops withstand environmental stresses like drought, salt, and heavy metal contamination. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because nanoparticles and microplastics share similar size ranges and behaviors in soil, and understanding how tiny particles interact with plants helps scientists assess both the risks and potential benefits of nanoscale materials in agriculture.