(288) The Impact of PMMA Nanoplastics on Female Reproductive Health.

Changsic Youn^1,2, Yu-Jin Jo¹, Seung-Bin Yoon¹, Jeongwoo Kwon¹, Hyeong-ju You¹, Yejin Kim¹ and Ji-Su Kim^1,2*

1. Primate Resources Center (PRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do, 56216, Republic of Korea

2. Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea

Abstract Text:

Nanoplastics (NPs), particularly polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) NPs, pose considerable environmental and health risks due to their small size and potential for cellular penetration. Despite their known adverse effects on various organs, the impact of NPs on the female reproductive system, particularly through respiratory exposure, remains poorly understood. Considering their potential harmful impacts on various organs and tissues, we hypothesized that inhaled PMMA NPs accumulate in the ovaries and adversely affect the female reproductive system. To validate this hypothesis, we exposed female mice to varying doses of PMMA NPs via intratracheal intubation over a 7-day period. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the accumulation of PMMA NPs in the lungs and ovaries of mice. Exposure to PMMA NPs significantly reduced ovarian weight and caused estrous cycle irregularities. RNA sequencing analysis revealed substantial alterations in gene expression profiles associated with female reproductive function, manifesting as a decreased number of growing follicles, abnormalities in oocyte maturation, and a subsequent decline in pregnancy rates. Our findings suggest that PMMA NPs, as environmental toxicants, can cause ovarian dysfunction and female reproductive abnormalities. Collectively, our findings suggest that PMMA NPs, as environmental toxicants, can cause ovarian dysfunction and female reproductive abnormalities, highlighting the potential for widespread reproductive system. This study explores the health impacts of nanoplastic pollution and highlights the need for effective public health interventions.