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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF INTRAUTERINE AND LACTATIONAL EXPOSURE TO NANOPLASTICS AND PHTHALATES ON RAT TESTIS.

Mirella Franco Moreira1, Natália Magosso1, Patrick Vieira de Souza1

  • 1Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|June 23, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Gestational exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) and phthalate mixtures (PM) harms male rat reproductive health. Combined exposure caused lasting testicular damage, altered gene expression, and increased oxidative stress, indicating synergistic toxicity.

Keywords:
maternal exposurenanoplasticsoxidative stressphthalatestestis

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)

Background:

  • The combined toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) and phthalates (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) on male reproductive health is poorly understood.
  • Contaminants can cross biological barriers, including the placenta, necessitating studies on developmental exposure.
  • The DOHaD concept highlights the impact of early-life exposures on long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of gestational and lactational exposure to NPs and a phthalate mixture (PM) on testicular development and function in male offspring.
  • To investigate potential synergistic toxic effects of combined NP and PM exposure on male reproductive health across lifespan stages.

Main Methods:

  • Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed orally to varying doses of PM and/or NPs from gestational day 10 to postnatal day 21.
  • Male offspring were assessed at prepuberty (postnatal day 22) and adulthood (postnatal day 120).
  • Evaluated endpoints included apoptosis, gene expression (Amh, Srd5a1, Ar, Tjp1), testicular histology, cell counts (Sertoli, Leydig), and redox status.

Main Results:

  • Gestational co-exposure to PM and NPs increased apoptosis in spermatocytes and altered key gene expression related to testicular function.
  • Adult offspring exhibited reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial height, and fewer Sertoli and Leydig cells following exposure.
  • Co-exposure impaired the blood-testis barrier (reduced Tjp1 expression) and exacerbated age-dependent oxidative stress, indicating synergistic toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational and lactational co-exposure to phthalates and nanoplastics induces persistent disruptions in male rat testicular morphology, gene regulation, and redox balance.
  • The findings suggest synergistic and lasting reproductive toxicity, underscoring the risks of combined environmental contaminant exposure during critical developmental windows.