Microplastics cross placenta-like barrier and disrupt key pregnancy hormones in new cell model study
Tiny, near-invisible fragments of plastic shed from the products we use every day through sunlight and mechanical wear have been quietly working their way deep into the human body. Microplastics have already been found in the human brain, semen and even the placenta. A recent study investigated how these micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) might move through the placenta and whether they affect a…
A new study explores the potential impact of microplastics on pregnancy and fetal development. Researchers created a miniature lab model using three types of human cells to represent the placenta and fetal adrenal gland. Several common plastics, including PMMA, PET, PVC, and polystyrene, were found to cross the placental barrier and enter the fetal side.
Smaller particles were more likely to pass through. Some nanoparticles entered the placental and endothelial cells, altering levels of key hormones like estrogen and etiocholanolone. The findings suggest microplastics may disrupt hormone balance during pregnancy, with implications for fetal development. Further research is needed to understand the full impact of these tiny plastic particles on human health.
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