Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 28: Exposure to microplastics in fathers could lead to long-term metabolic health problems in their children, with daughters showing a higher risk of developing diabetes, according to findings from a new animal study.

Microplastics are extremely small plastic fragments, measuring less than five millimetres, that originate from degraded consumer products and industrial waste. These particles have already been found in various parts of the human body, including reproductive systems, raising concerns about their potential health impact.

The study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, is the first to establish a link between paternal exposure to microplastics and metabolic health issues in the next generation. Researchers say it highlights how a father’s environmental exposure before conception may influence a child’s future health.

“Our findings open a new area of environmental health research by showing that a parent’s surroundings, even before pregnancy, can affect their children,” said lead author Changcheng Zhou, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. He added that although the research was conducted on mice, the results could have implications for humans.

For the study, male mice were exposed to microplastics and fed a high-fat diet to induce metabolic problems such as elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure and increased body fat. Their offspring were then observed under the same dietary conditions.

Researchers found that female offspring of microplastic-exposed fathers were significantly more prone to metabolic disorders compared to those whose fathers were not exposed. Despite sharing identical diets, the daughters showed signs of diabetes, while male offspring did not.

Further analysis revealed that female offspring had increased activity of genes linked to inflammation and diabetes in the liver, changes that were not present in male offspring. While males showed a slight reduction in fat mass, females experienced both reduced muscle mass and a higher likelihood of diabetic symptoms.
“The reason for this gender-specific response is not yet fully understood,” Zhou noted, adding that more research is needed to uncover the biological mechanisms involved.

The study suggests that the effects of plastic pollution may extend beyond those directly exposed, potentially influencing the health of future generations. Researchers say the findings reinforce the importance of reducing exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly for individuals planning to have children.