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Microplastic Ingestion Induces Size-Specific Effects in Japanese Quail.

Laura Monclús1, Eliana McCann Smith1, Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski1

  • 1Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, Trondheim 7491, Norway.

Environmental Science & Technology
|October 27, 2022
PubMed
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Ingested microplastics (MP) cause sublethal effects in Japanese quail. Small MP induced oxidative stress, while large MP affected liver enzymes and female reproductive hormones, demonstrating size-dependent toxicity in birds.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Avian Physiology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Plastic pollution, particularly microplastics (MP), is a growing environmental concern.
  • Sublethal effects of MP ingestion in birds are poorly understood, especially for particles smaller than 1 mm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the toxicity of environmentally relevant polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
  • To investigate the size-dependent effects of microplastics on various sublethal endpoints in quail.

Main Methods:

  • Japanese quail were orally exposed to small (<125 μm) and large (3 mm) microplastics, separately and as a mixture, for 5 weeks.
  • Sublethal endpoints assessed included oxidative stress markers, cytokine levels, blood-biochemical parameters, reproductive hormones, and body mass.
Keywords:
birdscytokineshepatotoxicityin vivo experimentmicroplasticsoxidative stresssex hormones

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Main Results:

  • Exposure to small MP significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase).
  • Large MP exposure elevated aspartate aminotransferase (liver enzyme) and decreased 17β-estradiol levels in females.
  • While body mass was unaffected, growth rates differed in quail exposed to small MP and mixed MP compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Microplastic ingestion causes size-dependent sublethal effects in Japanese quail.
  • These findings highlight the potential risks of microplastic pollution to avian populations.