Research conducted at UC Riverside School of Medicine indicates that exposure to microplastics in fathers may increase the risk of diabetes in their offspring, with daughters appearing particularly vulnerable. The study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society in December 2025, utilized a mouse model to assess the intergenerational health impacts of environmental pollutants.
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, originate from consumer products and industrial waste. Researchers subjected male mice to microplastic exposure and then evaluated metabolic health in their offspring, designated as the F1 generation. The study design incorporated a high-fat diet for the F1 generation, mirroring common unhealthy eating patterns such as frequent rapid-food consumption, known to contribute to metabolic disorders like high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and obesity – all risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.
The research team discovered that female offspring of microplastic-exposed fathers exhibited a greater susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction compared to those without exposure, despite all F1 offspring receiving the same diet. Professor Changcheng Zhou, a biomedical scientist and lead author of the study, noted the lack of a clear explanation for the sex-specific effects. “In our study, female offspring developed a diabetic phenotype. We observed increased expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-diabetes genes in their livers, genes previously linked to diabetes. These changes were not seen in male offspring,” Zhou stated, according to reporting from The Good Men Project.
While male offspring did not demonstrate signs of diabetes, they experienced a significant reduction in fat mass. Conversely, female offspring showed a decrease in muscle mass alongside the increased incidence of diabetes. To understand the mechanisms of inheritance, researchers employed a specialized sequencing technology called PANDORA-seq. This revealed that microplastic exposure altered the profile of minor RNA molecules within sperm, which play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. These molecules function as switches, controlling the extent to which genes are activated during development.
The findings suggest that the consequences of plastic pollution extend beyond directly exposed individuals, potentially increasing the vulnerability of future generations to chronic diseases. Zhou emphasized the potential implications for humans, stating, “Men who are planning to have children should consider reducing their exposure to harmful substances like microplastics to protect their health and the health of their children in the future.”
The research team intends to continue investigating the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health, with future studies potentially examining the impact of microplastic exposure in mothers on their offspring.