EFFECTS OF POLYSTYRENE MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE ON GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN JUVENILE WISTAR RATS

Hristiyana Kanzova; Yana Goranova; Rosen Ivanov; Pavlina Hristova; Slavko Nikolov; Krasimira Genova; Chavdar Filipov; Kostadin Kanchev; Mehmed Halil; Madlena Andreeva

doi:10.66211/tmvm.v11i2.334

Authors

Hristiyana Kanzova Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3459-1465
Yana Goranova Department of Microbiology, Virology, Clinical Laboratory and Immunology – Military Medical Academy Sofia, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2438-4853
Rosen Ivanov Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5252-7615
Pavlina Hristova Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6202-3601
Slavko Nikolov Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1744-9229
Krasimira Genova Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5599-7931
Chavdar Filipov Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2693-9564
Kostadin Kanchev Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5430-3734
Mehmed Halil Trakia University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8862-404X
Madlena Andreeva Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-7912

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66211/tmvm.v11i2.334

Keywords:

polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), juvenile Wistar rats, growth dynamics, organ indices, sex hormones

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) represent an increasing environmental and biological concern, with their potential effects on early development and physiological homeostasis still not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic juvenile exposure to 1 μm and 5 μm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on growth, organ indices, and endocrine profile in Wistar rats. A total of 36 juvenile Wistar rats (18 males and 18 females) were orally exposed to PS-MPs (0.1 mg/day) from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 61. Body weight dynamics were monitored throughout the experimental period, while at the end of exposure organ indices and serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were assessed. Exposure to PS-MPs was associated with delayed body weight gain, with more pronounced effects observed following exposure to 1 μm particles. Organ-specific and sex-dependent alterations were observed, predominantly affecting brain, lung, and spleen indices, as well as reproductive organs, with effects varying according to both sex and particle size. In addition, significant changes in serum sex hormone levels were detected, characterized by decreased testosterone in males and decreased estradiol in females. In conclusion, juvenile exposure to PS-MPs was associated with sex- and size-dependent alterations in growth dynamics, organ indices, and endocrine status in Wistar rats, suggesting potential systemic physiological effects of microplastics during early development.

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EFFECTS OF POLYSTYRENE MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE ON GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN JUVENILE WISTAR RATS

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