Microplastics: unraveling the signaling pathways involved in reproductive health

Microplastics (MPs) are biologically active environmental pollutants having significant impact on the ecosystem and human health. MPs have been reported to increase oxidative stress, resulting in tissue damage, developmental abnormalities, metabolic disorders, epigenetic changes, abnormal reproduction, and reduced gamete quality. At present, most of the existing literature has focused on the effects of MPs on the reproduction of various aquatic organisms; however, the effects of MPs on mammalian reproduction specifically humans are least studied except a few ones fragmentally discussing the effects of MPs on gametogenesis in human. This review discusses effects of MPs on male and female reproduction with a focus on different metabolic pathways involved in compromised gamete quality, gamete toxicity, apoptosis, and DNA damage.

Automated summary

Microplastics (MPs) are biologically active environmental pollutants that significantly impact the ecosystem and human health. These particles increase oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage, developmental abnormalities, metabolic disorders, epigenetic changes, abnormal reproduction, and reduced gamete quality. While there have been numerous studies on the effects of MPs on aquatic organisms, particularly their reproduction, the specific impact on mammalian reproduction, especially humans, remains limited. This review examines the effects of MPs on male and female reproduction, focusing on compromised gamete quality, gamete toxicity, apoptosis, and DNA damage.