Hormonal Outcomes Associated with Ovarian Exposure to Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics in Adult Female Wistar rats

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants with documented endocrine-disrupting potential, yet their effects on ovarian hormonal regulation in mammals remain poorly understood. Hence, therefore, the objective of this paper is to investigate the hormonal outcomes associated with ovarian exposure to Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics in adult female Wistar rats using appropriate standard procedures. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone levels were quantified. PVC-MP exposure resulted in significant, dose-dependent elevations in FSH (control: 3.21 ± 0.18 IU/L; 0.3 mg/kg: 5.87 ± 0.24 IU/L) and LH (control: 2.98 ± 0.16 IU/L; 0.3 mg/kg: 5.12 ± 0.21 IU/L), accompanied by marked reductions in estradiol (control: 45.3 ± 2.5 pg/mL; 0.3 mg/kg: 28.7 ± 1.9 pg/mL) and progesterone (control: 12.4 ± 0.8 ng/mL; 0.3 mg/kg: 7.1 ± 0.5 ng/mL). These findings demonstrate disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, indicating impaired ovarian endocrine function. The study provides experimental evidence of reproductive health risks posed by environmental PVC microplastics. It emphasizes the need for further mechanistic investigations and the development of environmental mitigation strategies to minimize exposure and protect female reproductive health.