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Review
. 2024 Aug 20;13(16):1380.
doi: 10.3390/cells13161380.

The Impact of Maternal Nanoplastic and Microplastic Particle Exposure on Mammal's Offspring

Hong-Ren Yu  1   2   3 , Jiunn-Ming Sheen  1   2 , Mao-Meng Tiao  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The Impact of Maternal Nanoplastic and Microplastic Particle Exposure on Mammal's Offspring

Hong-Ren Yu et al. Cells. .

Abstract

The issue of environmental nanoplastic (NPl) particle and microplastic (MPl) particle pollution is becoming increasingly severe, significantly impacting ecosystems and biological health. Research shows that NPl/MPl can penetrate the placental barrier and enter the fetus, leading to transgenerational effects. This review integrates the existing literature on the effects of prenatal NPl/MPl exposure on mammalian offspring, focusing particularly on its negative impacts on the central nervous system, liver, intestinal health, reproductive function, and skeletal muscles. The vast majority of previous studies on prenatal NPl/MPl in mammals have used polystyrene material. Future research should explore the effects of other prenatal NPl/MPl materials on offspring to better reflect the realities of the human environment. It is also essential to investigate the potential harm and underlying mechanisms associated with prenatal NPl/MPl exposure to offspring in greater depth. This will aid in developing appropriate prevention and treatment strategies in the future.

Keywords: health; mammal; microplastics; nanoplastics; offspring; prenatal.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The impact of prenatal microplastic exposure on various organs of the offspring, including the brain, liver, intestine, reproductive system, and skeletal muscle. This diagram emphasizes the potential risks linked to maternal exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics, highlighting the necessity of further research to comprehensively clarify long-term effects on the health of offspring.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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