Polystyrene Microplastics Affect the Reproductive Performance of Male Mice and Lipid Homeostasis in Their Offspring

Abstract

The potential health risks of microplastics (MPs) to humans and other mammals have attracted global attention. However, whether long-term exposure to environmentally relevant doses of MPs could impair the reproductive functions of mammals and cause transgenerational effects on their offspring remains largely unclear. Our study revealed that long-term (i.e., 21 weeks) exposure to environmentally relevant doses of polystyrene MPs (40−100 μm) not only significantly decreased testicle relative weight but also decreased sperm quality (i.e., decreased sperm number and changed sperm phenotype), thus affecting the reproductive performance of male mice. The exposure also dysregulated lipid metabolism in their F1 offspring by altering 17 of 23 lipid classes. In particular, three lipid classes were closely related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; i.e., levels of alkylphosphatidylcholine, alkenylphosphatidylcholine, and alkenylphosphatidylethanolamine were significantly increased in the liver and plasma of F1 offspring. The lipid metabolism disruption also exhibited a dose-, gender-, and tissue-specific pattern. Our findings demonstrate for the first time the in vivo evidence of the male reproductive effects of exposure to environmentally relevant doses of MPs on terrestrial mammals and transgenerational effects on their offspring.

A Novel Strategy to Directly Quantify Polyethylene Microplastics in PM2.5 Based on Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

“…5 For example, PS exposure was found to induce inhibition of growth rate and reduction of fecundity on monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus) and also may affect the reproductive performance of male mice. 6,7 The exposure to PE possibly led to developmental toxicity on zebrafish. 8 Furthermore, the small sizes allows MPs to be ingested by different organisms (e.g., plankton and fish) and subsequently transmitted and enriched via the food chain, inducing unknown risks for people.…”

“…A large number of MPs, like polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has been found in marine water, surface water, sediments, and soil. , The widespread occurrence of MPs suggested the possible adverse effects of them on ecological safety . For example, PS exposure was found to induce inhibition of growth rate and reduction of fecundity on monogonont rotifer ( Brachionus koreanus ) and also may affect the reproductive performance of male mice. , The exposure to PE possibly led to developmental toxicity on zebrafish . Furthermore, the small sizes allows MPs to be ingested by different organisms (e.g., plankton and fish) and subsequently transmitted and enriched via the food chain, inducing unknown risks for people. , Therefore, studies of the environmental contamination of MPs are important and necessary.…”

Polylactic Acid Microplastics Do Not Exhibit Lower Biological Toxicity in Growing Mice Compared to Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics

“…On the other hand, long-term intake of these indigestible foreign matters can affect normal digestive function, and then affect the lipid metabolism in the body . Recent studies have demonstrated that long-term exposure to environmentally relevant doses of large PS-MPs (40–100 μm) disturbs mouse lipid metabolism via bowel function interference, although no notable accumulation of MPs in the liver and gut of mice. , Similarly, the enriched KEGG pathways belonging to the digestive system and lipid metabolism were also identified in the colon and liver of the growing mice exposed to PVCH. Importantly, PLAH exhibited more substantial adverse effects on the digestive system and lipid metabolism disturbances than PVCH.…”

Long-Term Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Doses of Large Polystyrene Microplastics Disturbs Lipid Homeostasis via Bowel Function Interference

“…Considering a daily intake of 3−5 g of food by each mouse and a bw of 25−30 g, our low dose (50 mg/kg food) corresponds to an exposure dose of 5−8.3 mg/kg bw in mice, which is well within the range of the estimated mouse equivalent dose. Details on environmental relevant dose conversion were described in our recent study 40 and presented in the Supporting Information.…”