Polystyrene microplastics induce blood–testis barrier disruption regulated by the MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in rats

As a persistent pollutant, microplastics (MPs) have been reported to induce sperm quantity decrease in mice. However, the related mechanism remains obscure. Therefore, this study is intended explore effects of polystyrene (PS-MPs) on male reproduction and its blood–testis barrier (BTB) impairment. Thirty-two adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups fed with PS-MPs for 90 days at doses 0 mg/day (control group), 0.015 mg/day, 0.15 1.5 respectively. The present results shown that PS-MP exposure led damage seminiferous tubule, resulted apoptosis spermatogenic cells, decreased motility concentration sperm, while abnormality was elevated. Meanwhile, could oxidative stress activate p38 MAPK pathway thus deplete nuclear factor erythroid-2 2 (Nrf2). Noteworthily, BTB-related protein expression decrease. All these demonstrated may lead destruction BTB integrity cells through activation MAPK-Nrf2 pathway. current provided novelty evidence elucidating reproductive toxicity potential mechanism.