Abstract：
Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels, like many other marine invertebrates, employ external fertilization as a mating strategy, exposing their gametes to various contaminants upon release into seawater. Environmental microplastics (EMP) are prevalent marine pollutants that pose a significant threat to aquatic biota. In this regard, our study aimed to investigate the potential effects of exposing mussels\' male gametes to increasing concentrations of EMP (1, 10, 50, and 100 μg/l) collected from a Mediterranean sandy beach. We focused on assessing gamete quality by analysing physiological parameters such as viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative status, and motility. Additionally, we evaluated DNA integrity and activation of apoptosis. Furthermore, our study aimed to detect the presence of the prothymosin-α (PTMA) protein, which has never been previously investigated in invertebrate spermatozoa. Our data revealed that exposure of mussel spermatozoa to EMPs altered their oxidative status and mitochondrial membrane potential, induced a decrease in motility, DNA integrity, and an increased apoptotic occurrence, leading to a decline in overall viability. The localization of PTMA into the head and flagellum of spermatozoa further supported its presence and susceptibility to the effects of microplastics. These findings raise concerns about the reproductive capacity of mussels under environmental microplastic pollution and highlight potential long-term threats to population sustainability.
摘要：
Mytilusgalloprovincialis贻贝，像许多其他海洋无脊椎动物一样，采用外部受精作为交配策略，释放到海水中时，它们的配子暴露在各种污染物中。环境微塑料（EMP）是普遍存在的海洋污染物，对水生生物群构成重大威胁。在这方面,我们的研究旨在调查将贻贝雄配子暴露于从地中海沙滩收集的EMP浓度增加（1、10、50和100μg/l）的潜在影响。我们专注于通过分析生理参数来评估配子质量，如活力，线粒体膜电位，氧化状态，和运动性。此外,我们评估了DNA完整性和细胞凋亡的激活。此外，我们的研究旨在检测胸腺素-α（PTMA）蛋白的存在，以前从未在无脊椎动物精子中进行过研究。我们的数据显示，贻贝精子暴露于EMPs改变了它们的氧化状态和线粒体膜电位，导致运动性下降，DNA完整性,和增加的凋亡发生率，导致整体生存能力下降。PTMA在精子头部和鞭毛中的定位进一步支持了其存在和对微塑料作用的敏感性。这些发现引起了人们对环境微塑料污染下贻贝繁殖能力的担忧，并强调了对人口可持续性的潜在长期威胁。
