Maternal transfer of nanoplastics to offspring in zebrafish (Danio rerio): A case study with nanopolystyrene

Abstract

Plastics are ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants that are a growing concern in aquatic environments. The ecological implications of macroplastics pollution are well documented, but less is known about nanoplastics. The current study investigates the potential adverse effects of nanoplastics, which likely contribute to the ecological burden of plastic pollution. To this end, we examined whether a dietary exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) could lead to the transfer of nanoplastics to the offspring, and whether nanoplastics exposure affects zebrafish physiology. Specifically, adult female and male zebrafish (F0 generation) were exposed to PS NPs via diet for one week and bred to produce the F1 generation. Four F1 groups were generated: control (unexposed females and males), maternal (exposed females), paternal (exposed males), and co-parental (exposed males and females). Co-parental PS NP exposure did not significantly affect reproductive success. Assessment of tissues from F0 fish revealed that exposure to PS NPs significantly reduced glutathione reductase activity in brain, muscle, and testes, but did not affect mitochondrial function parameters in heart or gonads. Assessment of F1 embryos and larvae revealed that PS NPs were present in the yolk sac, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas of the maternally and co-parentally exposed F1 embryos/larvae. Bradycardia was also observed in embryos from maternal and co-parental exposure groups. In addition, the activity of glutathione reductase and the levels of thiols were reduced in F1 embryos/larvae from maternal and/or co-parental exposure groups. Mitochondrial function and locomotor activity were not affected in F1 larvae. This study demonstrates that (i) PS NPs are transferred from mothers to offspring, and (ii) exposure to PS NPs modifies the antioxidant system in adult tissues and F1 larvae. We conclude that PS NPs could bioaccumulate and be passed on to the offspring, but this does not lead to major physiological disturbances.

Potent Impact of Plastic Nanomaterials and Micromaterials on the Food Chain and Human Health

“…VC has been considered a carcinogenic factor and mostly causes angiosarcoma of the liver [94][95][96]. Microplastics or nanoplastics disrupt the endocrine system [97], induce neurotoxicity [98], and produce reproductive abnormities with trans-generational effects [99][100][101][102][103]. In addition, food and drink are a major vehicles of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure through which polymer elements and additives are potentially transported [104].…”

Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems

“…MP/NP feeding can result in behavioral abnormalities in terms of feeding and movement of adults and larvae [35,[68][69][70][71][72][73][74], as well as reproduction in adults [75][76][77]. There is evidence of mother-offspring transfer of NPs [78], and that prenatal exposure of MPs affected early development of the neonates [77].…”

Microplastic occurrence and effects in commercially harvested North American finfish and shellfish: Current knowledge and future directions

“…The ability of plastics to sorb to chemicals that can become bioavailable is a concern attributed to microplastic consumption, although studies are ongoing to determine whether leaching from ingested plastics significantly increases contaminant burden. In the model zebrafish, microplastics can be maternally transferred to eggs (Pitt et al 2018). As such, the leaching of even small amounts of these pollutants from ingested plastic may pose an additional hazard to marine organisms.…”

“…Furthermore, internal migration of plastic particles has been documented in fish and crabs in laboratory studies that report smaller microparticles translocated internally to the circulatory system and tissues (e.g., liver, hepatopancreas) in a range of taxa (Browne et al 2008;Avio et al 2015;Brennecke et al 2015). In the model zebrafish, microplastics can be maternally transferred to eggs (Pitt et al 2018). Translocation of microplastics may make leaching of associated chemicals more likely.…”