Microplastics from face mask impairs sperm motility

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

2 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Ziyi Lin
  • Zijie Li
  • Shuqin Ji
  • Baki Billah
  • Ayesha Sharmin
  • Wing-yee Lui
  • William Ka Fai Tse
  • James Kar-Hei Fang
  • Keng Po Lai
  • Lei Li

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number116422
Journal / PublicationMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume203
Online published14 May 2024
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented plastic pollution from single-used personal protective equipment (PPE), especially face masks, in coastal and marine environments. The secondary pollutants, microplastics from face masks (mask MP), rise concern about their detrimental effects on marine organisms, terrestrial organisms and even human. Using a mouse model, oral exposure to mask MP at two doses, 0.1 and 1 mg MP/day for 21 days, caused no change in animal locomotion, total weight, or sperm counts, but caused damage to sperm motility with increased curvilinear velocity (VCL). The high-dose mask MP exposure caused a significant decrease in linearity (LIN) of sperm motility. Further testicular transcriptomic analysis revealed perturbed pathways related to spermatogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolism and energy production. Collectively, our findings substantiate that microplastics from face masks yield adverse effects on mammalian reproductive capacity, highlighting the need for improved plastic waste management and development of environmentally friendly materials. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Research Area(s)

  • Face mask pollution, Microplastics, Reproductive toxicity, Sperm quality, Sperm velocity

Citation Format(s)

Microplastics from face mask impairs sperm motility. / Lin, Ziyi; Li, Zijie; Ji, Shuqin et al.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 203, 116422, 06.2024.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review