What does this research mean for the field?

While current evidence indicates that micro- and nanoplastics can accumulate in mammalian reproductive organs and cause reproductive and developmental toxicity, widespread methodological shortcomings in existing studies currently hinder robust risk assessment. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To systematically evaluate the scientific evidence and methodological quality of in vivo mammalian studies examining the reproductive and developmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics for regulatory risk assessment.

August 22, 2026Critical Reviews in ToxicologyOpen Access

Mammalian reproductive and developmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics: a critical appraisal of evidence using the SciRAP tool

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

IKIda Due Würtzner Koch LRLaura RubioUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona JCJulia CatalánUniversidad de Zaragoza

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Systematic review reveals adverse reproductive and developmental impacts from micro- and nanoplastics in mammals, highlighting significant reporting and methodological gaps for risk assessment.

Key Points

To systematically evaluate the scientific evidence and methodological quality of in vivo mammalian studies examining the reproductive and developmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics for regulatory risk assessment.
Conducted a systematic review of 102 in vivo mammalian studies evaluating micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) across biodistribution, reproductive system, and fertility/development endpoints.
Assessed study reliability and regulatory relevance using the Science in Risk Assessment and Policy (SciRAP) tool (version 2.3), expanded to include MNP-specific particle characterization criteria.
Evidence demonstrated MNP translocation into reproductive tissues, resulting in impaired testicular, ovarian, and uterine function, reduced gamete quantity/quality, and maternal transfer via placenta and lactation.
Quality appraisal classified 7 studies as strong, 89 as moderate, and 6 as weak for regulatory weight-of-evidence evaluations.
Data synthesis was frequently hindered by missing experimental details, particularly particle characterization, precise exposure doses, and established dose-response relationships.

Cite This Study

Koch et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a898131ca7ade938187f27b https://doi.org/10.1080/10408444.2026.2686289

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

August 22, 2026Critical Reviews in ToxicologyOpen Access

Mammalian reproductive and developmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics: a critical appraisal of evidence using the SciRAP tool

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

IKIda Due Würtzner Koch LRLaura RubioUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona JCJulia CatalánUniversidad de Zaragoza

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Systematic review reveals adverse reproductive and developmental impacts from micro- and nanoplastics in mammals, highlighting significant reporting and methodological gaps for risk assessment.

Key Points

To systematically evaluate the scientific evidence and methodological quality of in vivo mammalian studies examining the reproductive and developmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics for regulatory risk assessment.
Conducted a systematic review of 102 in vivo mammalian studies evaluating micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) across biodistribution, reproductive system, and fertility/development endpoints.
Assessed study reliability and regulatory relevance using the Science in Risk Assessment and Policy (SciRAP) tool (version 2.3), expanded to include MNP-specific particle characterization criteria.
Evidence demonstrated MNP translocation into reproductive tissues, resulting in impaired testicular, ovarian, and uterine function, reduced gamete quantity/quality, and maternal transfer via placenta and lactation.
Quality appraisal classified 7 studies as strong, 89 as moderate, and 6 as weak for regulatory weight-of-evidence evaluations.
Data synthesis was frequently hindered by missing experimental details, particularly particle characterization, precise exposure doses, and established dose-response relationships.

Cite This Study

Koch et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a898131ca7ade938187f27b https://doi.org/10.1080/10408444.2026.2686289

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark