Nanoplastics and Microplastics and Their Impact on Male Reproduction—Uncovering the Hidden Hazards Using the Drosophila Model

Abstract

The ubiquitous presence of plastic waste in large swathes of land and water means that such debris will eventually degrade into microplastics/nanoplastics (MNPLs). Because they may also act as a vehicle for toxic trace elements like metals, these tiny particles are a growing concern. Demonstrating the global scale of the problem, MNPLs are found in all major ocean basins, even in remote and pristine environments. Despite the magnitude of the potential threat, the ultimate consequences of exposure to MNPLs are not fully understood and remain elusive because animal testing for risk assessment is limited by ethical considerations, tedious procedures, and substantial financial burdens. Here, Drosophila melanogaster gains prominence as a valued biological model. This fruit fly also shares many biological similarities with humans, having orthologs that correspond to approximately 77% of human disease-related genes. Drosophila is widely used as an in vivo model organism in genetic research, to gain valuable insights into various diseases, and to test potential contaminants in developmental toxicology and nanogenotoxicity research in a controlled and reproducible manner. This chapter presents an outline of environmental and public health risks associated with MNPLs and the importance of conducting risk assessments through Drosophila research.