Micro/nanoplastic-induced alterations in cellular fate and full-cycle spermatogenesis: A mechanistic review and...

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), ranging from 25 nm to 10 μm, have emerged as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, with an increasing body of research exploring their potential risks to male reproductive health. This review provides a synthesis of the observed impacts of MNPs on spermatogenesis, focusing on cellular fate, homeostatic disruption, and potential intergenerational consequences. Evidence from experimental models, utilizing dosages from 50 μg/kg/day to 75 mg/kg/day, suggests that MNPs may breach the blood-testis barrier and are associated with stage-specific impairments throughout the spermatogenic process-from spermatogonial proliferation to final sperm maturation.Proposed toxicological mechanisms identified in these studies include mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic reprogramming, and the activation of various cell death pathways. Furthermore, experimental data indicate that MNPs may perturb the reproductive microenvironment by affecting Sertoli and Leydig cell functions and contributing to systemic inflammation. Notably, preclinical observations suggest that MNP-associated reproductive damage may have the capacity for intergenerational transmission. These insights provide a preliminary scientific framework for assessing MNP-related male reproductive risks and highlight the need for further research into targeted intervention strategies, as well as the continued validation of these findings in human clinical contexts.