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Probiotics as a therapeutic approach to alleviate reproductive harm from polystyrene microplastics in male rats

Yi-Yuh Hwang1, Quei-Tse Tsen1, Jerrell Felim1

  • 1Department of Food Science, College of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Ocean University, Pei-Ning Road, Keelung, 20224, Taiwan, ROC.

Scientific Reports
|October 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics can reduce reproductive toxicity caused by microplastics. This study shows probiotics mitigate testicular damage and inflammation linked to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP) exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Microplastics (MP) are emerging environmental pollutants.
  • Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP) exposure can induce reproductive toxicity.
  • The impact of MP on reproductive health requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of probiotics against PS-MP-induced reproductive toxicity.
  • To evaluate the mechanisms underlying PS-MP toxicity and probiotic intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Cell experiments to assess oxidative stress and inflammation.
  • Animal studies involving PS-MP administration and probiotic supplementation.
  • Analysis of testicular damage, sperm nitric oxide, and sex hormone levels.

Main Results:

  • PS-MP caused dose-dependent testicular damage and altered kisspeptin signaling.
  • Probiotics significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro.
  • Probiotics improved testicular histology, decreased sperm nitric oxide, and normalized sex hormone levels in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics demonstrate potential in mitigating PS-MP-induced reproductive toxicity.
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of probiotics are key mechanisms.
  • This research offers a novel strategy for addressing microplastic toxicology in reproductive health.
Keywords:
CytotoxicityInflammationMicroplastics polystyreneProbioticsReproduction

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