Mottola Filomena, Carannante Maria, Palmieri Ilaria, Ibello Lorenzo, Montano Luigi, Pezzullo Mariaceleste, Mosca Nicola, Potenza Nicoletta, Rocco Lucia
Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, CE, Italy.
Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in Uro-Andrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (EcoFood Fertility Project), S. Francesco di Assisi Hospital, 84020 Oliveto Citra, SA, Italy.
Toxics. 2025 Jul 19;13(7):605. doi: 10.3390/toxics13070605.
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) released in the environment reportedly affect the reproduction of various organisms, induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, resulting in altered sperm parameters. In this in vitro study, we tested the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of PS-MPs by exposing human semen samples to PS-MPs levels (105 and 210 μg/mL) for 30-60-90 min. Semen parameters, genome stability, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analyzed before and after exposure. Moreover, we also evaluated the expression level of spermatozoa-specific expressed genes essential for the fusion with oocyte (, , , , , and ). After PS-MP exposure, semen concentration and morphology did not differ, while sperm vitality and motility decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, sperm agglutination was observed in the groups exposed to both PS-MPs concentrations tested. A time- and concentration-dependent reduction in genomic stability, as well as increased SDF and ROS production, was also observed. Moreover, all investigated transcripts were down-regulated after PS-MP exposure. Our results confirm the oxidative stress-mediated genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of PS-MPs on human spermatozoa. The sperm agglutination observed after treatment could be due to the aggregation of PS-MPs already adhered to the sperm membranes, hindering sperm movement and fertilizing capability. Interestingly, the downregulation of genes required for sperm-oocyte fusion, resulting from data on the in vitro experimental system, suggests that PS-MP exposure may have implications for sperm functionality. While these findings highlight potential mechanisms of sperm dysfunction, further investigations using in vivo models are needed to determine their broader biological implications. Possible environmental and working exposure to pollutants should be considered during the counselling for male infertility.
据报道，释放到环境中的聚苯乙烯微塑料（PS-MPs）会影响各种生物的繁殖，引发氧化应激和细胞凋亡，导致精子参数改变。在这项体外研究中，我们通过将人类精液样本暴露于PS-MPs水平（105和210μg/mL）30 - 60 - 90分钟，测试了PS-MPs的细胞毒性和遗传毒性。在暴露前后分析了精液参数、基因组稳定性、精子DNA碎片化（SDF）和活性氧（ROS）产生情况。此外，我们还评估了对于与卵母细胞融合至关重要的精子特异性表达基因（ 、 、 、 、 、和 ）的表达水平。PS-MP暴露后，精液浓度和形态没有差异，而精子活力和运动能力呈时间依赖性下降。此外，在暴露于两种测试PS-MPs浓度的组中均观察到精子凝集现象。还观察到基因组稳定性呈时间和浓度依赖性降低，以及SDF和ROS产生增加。而且，PS-MP暴露后所有研究的转录本均下调。我们的结果证实了PS-MPs对人类精子的氧化应激介导的遗传毒性和细胞毒性。处理后观察到的精子凝集可能是由于已经附着在精子膜上的PS-MPs聚集，阻碍了精子运动和受精能力。有趣的是，体外实验系统的数据显示，精子 - 卵母细胞融合所需基因的下调表明PS-MP暴露可能对精子功能有影响。虽然这些发现突出了精子功能障碍的潜在机制，但需要使用体内模型进行进一步研究以确定其更广泛的生物学意义。在男性不育咨询过程中应考虑可能的环境和工作中污染物暴露情况。
