Micro- and nanoplastic exposure: male reproductive toxicity, underlying mechanisms, and research prospects
6 affiliations
- 1The Reproductive Medical Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University
- 2Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology
- 3College of Animal Science, Jilin University
- 4Norman Bethune Third School of Clinical Medicine, Jilin University, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University
- 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University
- 6Guanghua Academy
Abstract
Diagnosis and treatment of male infertility present persistent clinical challenges, with etiologies spanning genetic anomalies, endocrine disturbances, genital tract infections, varicocele, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Among these, exposure to environmental contaminants is increasingly recognized as a critical contributor to male reproductive impairment and declining sperm quality. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), as ubiquitous emerging environmental pollutants, can enter the human body via three primary routes: gastrointestinal ingestion, respiratory inhalation, and dermal contact. Upon internalization, MNPs trigger male reproductive toxicity through diverse molecular pathways, including the induction of oxidative stress, DNA damage, disruption of sex hormone secretion, energy metabolism dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis, ferroptosis, and aberrant autophagy. Cumulative evidence suggests that these mechanisms may act in concert to compromise sperm quality and male fertility; furthermore, such exposure has been associated with an elevated risk of developmental abnormalities in offspring in certain experimental models. In this review, we systematically elucidate the mechanisms linking MNP exposure to the pathogenesis and progression of male infertility. We also aim to offer novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and management of male infertility, provide theoretical references for preconception care and reproductive health, and establish a scientific foundation for advancing targeted prevention and control strategies against MNP pollution.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026micro,
title = {{Micro- and nanoplastic exposure: male reproductive toxicity, underlying mechanisms, and research prospects}},
author = {Min Wang and Jie Zheng and Caomeihui Shen and Chunxiao Liu and Shuai Ma and Yixin Wang and Minghui Fan and Minjia Sheng},
journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1940055},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1940055/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Micro- and nanoplastic exposure: male reproductive toxicity, underlying mechanisms, and research prospects
AU - Min Wang
AU - Jie Zheng
AU - Caomeihui Shen
AU - Chunxiao Liu
AU - Shuai Ma
AU - Yixin Wang
AU - Minghui Fan
AU - Minjia Sheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1940055
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1940055/full
AB - Diagnosis and treatment of male infertility present persistent clinical challenges, with etiologies spanning genetic anomalies, endocrine disturbances, genital tract infections, varicocele, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures. Among these, exposure to environmental contaminants is increasingly recognized as a critical contributor to male reproductive impairment and declining sperm quality. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), as ubiquitous emerging environmental pollutants, can enter the human body via three primary routes: gastrointestinal ingestion, respiratory inhalation, and dermal contact. Upon internalization, MNPs trigger male reproductive toxicity through diverse molecular pathways, including the induction of oxidative stress, DNA damage, disruption of sex hormone secretion, energy metabolism dysfunction, gut microbiota dysbiosis, ferroptosis, and aberrant autophagy. Cumulative evidence suggests that these mechanisms may act in concert to compromise sperm quality and male fertility; furthermore, such exposure has been associated with an elevated risk of developmental abnormalities in offspring in certain experimental models. In this review, we systematically elucidate the mechanisms linking MNP exposure to the pathogenesis and progression of male infertility. We also aim to offer novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and management of male infertility, provide theoretical references for preconception care and reproductive health, and establish a scientific foundation for advancing targeted prevention and control strategies against MNP pollution.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -