Abstract
Introduction
The rapid growth in the worldwide use of plastics has resulted in a vast accumulation of microplastics in the air, soil and water. The impact of these microplastics on pregnancy and fetal development remains largely unknown. In pregnant mice, we recently demonstrated that exposure to micro- and nanoplastics throughout gestation resulted in significant fetal growth restriction. One possible explanation for reduced fetal growth is abnormal placental metabolism.
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to microplastics on placental metabolism.
Methods
In the present study, CD-1 pregnant mice were exposed to 5 μm polystyrene microplastics in filtered drinking water at one of four concentrations (0 ng/L (controls), 102 ng/L, 104 ng/L, 106 ng/L) throughout gestation (n = 7–11/group). At embryonic day 17.5, placental tissue samples were collected (n = 28–44/group). Metabolite profiles were determined using 1 H high-resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Results
The relative concentration of lysine (p = 0.003) and glucose (p < 0.0001) in the placenta were found to decrease with increasing microplastic concentrations, with a significant reduction at the highest exposure concentration. Multivariate analysis identified shifts in the metabolic profile with MP exposure and pathway analysis identified perturbations in the biotin metabolism, lysine degradation, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways.
Conclusion
Maternal exposure to microplastics resulted in significant alterations in placental metabolism. This study highlights the potential impact of microplastic exposure on pregnancy outcomes and that efforts should be made to minimize exposure to plastics, particularly during pregnancy.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Funding
This study was funded by the Banting Research Foundation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, and the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF).
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Z.A., C.M.S. performed the experiments. Z.A., G.V.M., L.S.C. analyzed the data. Z.A., C.M.S., L.S.C. interpreted results of the experiments. Z.A., L.S.C. prepared figures. J.G.S., C.K.M., A.A.B., J.C.K., P.A.H., A.J.S., M.J.S., K.J.J., L.S.C. conceived and designed the research and drafted the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Aghaei, Z., Mercer, G.V., Schneider, C.M. et al. Maternal exposure to polystyrene microplastics alters placental metabolism in mice. Metabolomics 19, 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-022-01967-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-022-01967-8