A study in mice links paternal exposure to microplastics and dysfunctions in the offspring

Behind this research, which confirms differences in male and female descendants, are scientists from the University of California in Riverside, United States, and, according to those responsible, it highlights a hitherto unknown way in which environmental pollutants affect the health of future generations.

The study, published in the journal Journal of the Endocrine Societyestablishes the relationship between paternal exposure to microplastics and the long-term health of the next generation.

These materials are small plastic particles (less than 5 millimeters) that are produced as a result of the decomposition of consumer products and industrial waste.

Metabolic disorders refer to a group of conditions, including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess body fat, that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.recalls a statement from the Californian university.

To induce metabolic disorders in the offspring, the researchers gave them a high-fat diet. This approach helps reveal the effects of paternal exposure that might otherwise remain mild or hidden under normal feeding conditions.

High-fat diet mimics unhealthy eating patterns and amplifies metabolic risks. Since the parents were fed a normal diet, the obesity observed in the offspring was diet-induced.

The team found that female offspring of male mice exposed to microplastics were significantly more susceptible to metabolic disorders than offspring of unexposed parents.even though they all received the same high-fat diet.

The exact reasons for this sex-specific effect are still unclear, explains Changcheng Zhou, one of the researchers. According to the study, the female offspring developed, among others, diabetic phenotypes and an upregulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-diabetic genes was observed in their livers. These changes were not observed in male offspring.

To understand how this trait was transmitted, the researchers used a specialized sequencing technology called PANDORA-seq, developed at the University of California. They discovered that Exposure to microplastics alters “the charge” of the sperm, affecting the small molecules that regulate the activation and deactivation of genes.

“To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study to demonstrate that paternal exposure to microplastics can affect the small non-coding RNA profiles of sperm and induce metabolic disorders in the offspring,” summarizes Zhou.

These findings “likely have implications for humans. Men planning to have children should consider reducing their exposure to harmful substances such as microplastics to protect both their health and that of their future children.”, concludes the researcher.