Polystyrene microplastics induced male reproductive toxicity in mice

Microplastics (MPs) have become hazardous materials, which have aroused widespread concern about their potential toxicity. However, the effects of MPs on reproductive systems in mammals are still ambiguous. In this study, the toxic effects of polystyrene MPs (PS -MPs) in male reproduction of mice were investigated. The results indicated that after exposure for 24 h, 4 mu m and 10 mu m PS-MPs accumulated in the testis of mice. Meanwhile, 0.5 mu m, 4 mu m, and 10 mu m PS-MPs could enter into three kinds of testicular cells in vitro. In addition, sperm quality and testosterone level of mice were declined after exposure to 0.5 mu m, 4 mu m, and 10 mu m PS-MPs for 28 days. H&E staining showed that spermatogenic cells abscissed and arranged disorderly, and multinucleated gonocytes occurred in the seminiferous tubule. Moreover, PS-MPs induced testicular inflammation and the disruption of blood-testis barrier. In summary, this study demonstrated that PS-MPs induced male reproductive dysfunctions in mice, which provided new insights into the toxicity of MPs in mammals.

Automated summary

This study investigated the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on male reproductive systems in mice. The results showed that PS-MPs accumulated in the testis, entered testicular cells, and led to decreased sperm quality and testosterone levels. Additionally, PS-MPs induced testicular inflammation and disruption of the blood-testis barrier, demonstrating the potential reproductive dysfunctions caused by microplastics.