Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.

The present study aimed to detect microplastics in feline placentas and fetuses in the early stage of pregnancy. For this study, 8 pregnant queens were evaluated. A standardized protocol for the digestion of biological matter was used, as well as a plastic-free approach for sample collection and man...

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Main Authors: Ilaria Ferraboschi, Francesca Canzolino, Elena Ferrari, Cristina Sissa, Matteo Masino, Matteo Rizzi, Simona Bussolati, Giuseppina Basini, Simone Bertini, Stefano Grolli, Roberto Ramoni, Francesco Di Ianni, Alessandro Vetere, Enrico Bigliardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320694
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author Ilaria Ferraboschi
Francesca Canzolino
Elena Ferrari
Cristina Sissa
Matteo Masino
Matteo Rizzi
Simona Bussolati
Giuseppina Basini
Simone Bertini
Stefano Grolli
Roberto Ramoni
Francesco Di Ianni
Alessandro Vetere
Enrico Bigliardi
author_facet Ilaria Ferraboschi
Francesca Canzolino
Elena Ferrari
Cristina Sissa
Matteo Masino
Matteo Rizzi
Simona Bussolati
Giuseppina Basini
Simone Bertini
Stefano Grolli
Roberto Ramoni
Francesco Di Ianni
Alessandro Vetere
Enrico Bigliardi
author_sort Ilaria Ferraboschi
collection DOAJ
description The present study aimed to detect microplastics in feline placentas and fetuses in the early stage of pregnancy. For this study, 8 pregnant queens were evaluated. A standardized protocol for the digestion of biological matter was used, as well as a plastic-free approach for sample collection and manipulation. Microplastics were investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy, with the aim of identifying their composition. Four of eight animals were contaminated, with a total of 19 microplastics detected in both fetal and placental samples. Specifically, fetuses from cats 4 and 7 were contaminated, as were the placentas from cats 5, 6, and 7. This work demonstrates that microplastics can accumulate in feline placentas even at the early stage of pregnancy. Moreover, preliminary results of the presence of microplastics in feline fetuses are shown, suggesting that microplastics can cross the placental barrier.
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spelling doaj-art-4ddf83e737444880b18d3138a050ce0a2025-08-20T02:16:21ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01204e032069410.1371/journal.pone.0320694Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.Ilaria FerraboschiFrancesca CanzolinoElena FerrariCristina SissaMatteo MasinoMatteo RizziSimona BussolatiGiuseppina BasiniSimone BertiniStefano GrolliRoberto RamoniFrancesco Di IanniAlessandro VetereEnrico BigliardiThe present study aimed to detect microplastics in feline placentas and fetuses in the early stage of pregnancy. For this study, 8 pregnant queens were evaluated. A standardized protocol for the digestion of biological matter was used, as well as a plastic-free approach for sample collection and manipulation. Microplastics were investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy, with the aim of identifying their composition. Four of eight animals were contaminated, with a total of 19 microplastics detected in both fetal and placental samples. Specifically, fetuses from cats 4 and 7 were contaminated, as were the placentas from cats 5, 6, and 7. This work demonstrates that microplastics can accumulate in feline placentas even at the early stage of pregnancy. Moreover, preliminary results of the presence of microplastics in feline fetuses are shown, suggesting that microplastics can cross the placental barrier.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320694
spellingShingle Ilaria Ferraboschi
Francesca Canzolino
Elena Ferrari
Cristina Sissa
Matteo Masino
Matteo Rizzi
Simona Bussolati
Giuseppina Basini
Simone Bertini
Stefano Grolli
Roberto Ramoni
Francesco Di Ianni
Alessandro Vetere
Enrico Bigliardi
Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
PLoS ONE
title Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
title_full Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
title_fullStr Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
title_full_unstemmed Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
title_short Detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus.
title_sort detection of microplastics in the feline placenta and fetus
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320694
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