Title:	Micro- and nanoplastics and brain sexual differentiation: an emerging neurodevelopmental threat within the DOHaD framework.
Authors:	ARENA, A. C. JORGE, B. C. MANOEL, B. de M. STEIN, J. KASSUYA, C. A. L. HISANO, H.
Affiliation:	ARIELLE CRISTINA ARENA, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE SÃO PAULO; BÁRBARA CAMPOS JORGE, UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER; BEATRIZ DE MATOS MANOEL, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE SÃO PAULO; JULIA STEIN, UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE SÃO PAULO; CÂNDIDA APARECIDA LEITE KASSUYA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA GRANDE DOURADOS; HAMILTON HISANO, CNPMA.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Reproductive Toxicology, v. 140, article 109158, 2026.
Description:	Abstract: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been increasingly detected in human tissues, including the placenta and, more recently, the brain. Their capacity to cross biological barriers such as the placenta and the blood–brain barrier raises significant concern for sexually dimorphic neurodevelopment. Brain sexual differentiation, orchestrated by steroid hormones, neuroimmune signaling, and epigenetic programming during early life, represents one of the most hormonally sensitive and developmentally critical targets of environmental disruption. In this narrative review, we synthesize evidence positioning MNPs as potential endocrine and epigenetic disruptors that may reprogram hypothalamic circuits governing reproduction and socioemotional behavior within a DOHaD framework. Evidence is stronger in animal and cellular models, implicating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and disrupted neurotransmission as central mechanisms; however, sex-specific endpoints remain underexplored and human data are still limited. This review adds a novel integrative perspective by focusing on sexually dimorphic hypothalamic nuclei and by outlining testable, sex-informed hypotheses. We highlight key methodological priorities for future research, including environmentally relevant exposures, explicit consideration of sex as a biological variable, multi-omics approaches, and longitudinal designs.
NAL Thesaurus:	Sexual dimorphism Brain Blood-brain barrier Epigenetics Neurodevelopment
Keywords:	Brain sexual differentiation DOHaD Endocrine disruption Nanoplastics Microplastics Nanoplásticos Microplásticos Dimorfismo sexual
ISSN:	0890-6238
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2026.109158
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPMA)