Combined effect of polystyrene nanoplastic and di-n-butyl phthalate on testicular health of male Swiss albino mice: analysis of sperm-related parameters and potential toxic effects

Abstract

The coexposure of nanoplastic (NPs) with other pollutants adsorbed from the environment has gained signi cant attention in recent years. However, the combined impact of NPs and plasticizers, particularly Di-n-butyl-phthalate (DBP) and Polystyrene nanoplastic particles (PSNP), remains poorly understood. DBP is a widely used plasticizer that has become a major concern due to its pervasive environmental presence and potential endocrinedisrupting properties. This study aimed to assess the reproductive toxicity in male mice resulting from exposures to Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Polystyrene Nanoplastic (PSNP), and their combination (DBP+PSNP). Adult male Swiss albino mice mice (n=24) were divided into four groups, each consisting of six mice. The groups included DBP (900mg/kg bw), PSNP (O.2 mg/ml, 50 nm size), DBP+PSNP (900 mg/kg bw + 0.2 mg/ml, 50 nm size), and a control group (olive oil). The animals were orally administered DBP and PSNP for 60 days, followed by the examination of their testicles and cauda epididymis examined through sperm parameters, biochemical and histological analyses. The study revealed signi cant decreases in sperm count, motility, viability in treated group as well as in combination group (DBP+PSNP), however sperm abnormality was found to be signi cantly increased in all the treated groups compared to the control group. Biochemical analysis indicated altered superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and lipid peroxidase activities in the treated groups compared to the control, indicating potential oxidative stress effects on the male reproductive system. Histological studies showed damage to the testis structure and observed rupturing of seminiferous tubule cells, tubular degeneration, intertubular edema, vacuolization, rete testis carcinoma in the exposed groups. These ndings suggest that both individual and combined exposure to DBP and PSNP may adversely affect male mice reproductive abilities, with the combination group showing particularly hazardous effects. This investigation aims to shed light on the reproductive effects of these substances, individually and in combination, in male mice and contribute to the understanding of their potential reproductive toxicity. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential reproductive toxicity of DBP and PSNP in male mice and indicates that their combination may lead to exacerbated adverse effects on the reproductive system through oxidative stress and histological damage. These ndings underscore the importance of further understanding the reproductive health implications of nanoplastic and plasticizers in environmental and human contexts.