Microplastics from face mask impairs sperm motility
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | 116422 |
Journal / Publication | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
Volume | 203 |
Online published | 14 May 2024 |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |
Link(s)
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.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 203, 116422, 06.2024.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review