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Polystyrene Nanoparticles Cause Sex‐Specific Toxicity in Male Zebrafish, Which Can Be Mitigated by Melatonin

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The environmental ubiquity of microplastics raises growing concerns over their reproductive toxicity, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, adult zebrafish were exposed to polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs; 0, 0.1, and 1 mg/L) for 14 days, with or without co-treatment of melatonin (1 μM). Exposure to 1 mg/L PSNPs significantly reduced gonadosomatic and brain somatic indices, accompanied by histopathological evidence of structural damage to gonadal tissues. Moreover, PSNPs disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis gene transcription and altered sex hormone levels. PSNPs also induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in gonadal and brain tissues. Notably, these effects were sex-dependent and were largely ameliorated by melatonin co-treatment. Importantly, PSNPs showed differential reproductive toxicity between males and females. These findings highlight the potential of melatonin to mitigate PSNP-induced reproductive toxicity by protecting against oxidative damage and HPG axis disruption while also revealing sex-specific responses to nanoparticle exposure.

Source: Environmental Toxicology

DOI: 10.1002/tox.70040

Authors: Wanjing Liu, Chunhua Zhan, Min Zeng, Guanglong Chen, Jun Wang

Institutions: South China Agricultural University, University of South China, Guangxi Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, South China Agricultural University