Probiotics improve polystyrene microplastics-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice by alleviating inflammatory response.

As a new type of environmental pollutant, microplastics have been garnered increasing attention, especially in regard to their effects on the reproductive system. However, researchers have yet to report whether prevention and treatment measures exist for reproductive injury caused by microplastics. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the mechanism of spermatogenic injury induced by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and the intervention effect of probiotics based on the gut microbiota-testis axis.

Determination of Biological and Molecular Attributes Related to Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and Its Reversibility in Male Mice.

Microplastics exist not only in the natural environment, but also in human tissue such as blood and even placenta. Polystyrene microplastic exposure can cause abnormal sperm quality in mice; however, the mechanism is unclear, and whether sperm abnormalities can be restored has not been reported. ICR mice were exposed to 5 μm polystyrene microplastics through the drinking water.

Effects of chlorpyrifos exposure on liver inflammation and intestinal flora structure in mice.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate insecticide commonly used to treat fruit and vegetable crops. CPF can cause severe adverse effects on body organs including the liver and central nervous system. This study investigated the CPF-induced inflammation in mice and explored the role of intestinal flora changes in liver inflammation.

Distinct mA methylome profiles in poly(A) RNA from Xenopus laevis testis and that treated with atrazine.

Recent discovery of reversible N-methyladenosine (mA) methylation on messenger RNA (mRNA) and mapping of mA methylomes in mammals, plant and yeast revealed potential regulatory functions of this RNA modification. However, the role of the mA methylomes in amphibious is still poorly understood. Here, we examined the mA transcriptome-wide profile in testis tissues of Xenopus laevis (X.