Adolescent exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces male reproductive damage via the microbiome-gut-testis axis.

ABSTRACT: Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), are increasingly associated with reduced male fertility, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we systematically unraveled a novel microbiome-gut-testis axis mediating PS-NPs-induced reproductive toxicity. Adolescent rats exposed to PS-NPs for 5 weeks induced dose-dependent testicular injury, characterized by disrupted spermatogenesis, and compromised blood-testis barrier. Single-cell atlases revealed spermatogenic arrest, abnormal immune microenvironment, and perturbed testicular cell communication upon exposure to PS-NPs. Furthermore, multi-omics analysis highlighted the activation of NF-κB/IL-17/HIF-1 and inhibition of PPAR-γ signaling, contributing to increased DNA damage and apoptosis, suppressed autophagy, and dysregulated energ

SUBMITTER: Luan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12924321 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature