Publications by authors named "Zhenhao Shu"
Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles or fragments with a diameter of less than 5 mm. These particles have been identified as causing male reproductive toxicity, although the precise mechanism behind this association is yet to be fully understood. Recent research has found that exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) can disrupt spermatogenesis by impacting the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a formidable barrier within mammalian blood tissues.
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- Fine particulate matter (PM) is linked to male reproductive disorders, showing damage in testicular structures, reduced testosterone levels, and impaired sperm quality in exposed mice.
- The study utilized conditional knockout mice and primary Leydig cells to investigate how PM affects the testes, revealing involvement of specific gene pathways related to steroid hormone production and cell signaling.
- Results indicated that PM induces a process called ferroptosis through the SIRT1/HIF-1α pathway, contributing to decreased testosterone synthesis in males, highlighting the risks of PM on male reproductive health.
Article Synopsis
- Long-term inhalation of PM2.5 is linked to sperm disorders and infertility, but the specific molecular mechanisms aren’t fully understood.
- The study focused on how the METTL3-m6A-SIRT1 axis affects autophagy in Leydig cells, leading to reduced testosterone production upon PM exposure.
- Findings revealed that PM increases METTL3 and m6A modification of SIRT1 mRNA, disrupting autophagy and testosterone synthesis, while enhancing SIRT1 can restore these processes.