Microplastics have been found in the placentas and fetuses of stray cats during early pregnancy, raising fresh concerns about the ability of plastic particles to cross biological barriers even at early stages of development.
Researchers from the University of Parma, Italy, report the detection of 19 distinct microplastic particles in fetal and placental tissues from a subset of eight pregnant cats. Using confocal Raman spectroscopy, the team identified polymer composition and pigment additives in particles as small as 2 μm – with polyethylene and synthetic pigments among those detected.
The study used a standardized digestion protocol and a plastic-free sampling approach. “This work demonstrates that microplastics can accumulate in feline placentas even at the early stage of pregnancy,” the authors write, noting that their findings also provide “preliminary results of the presence of microplastics in feline fetuses,” suggesting that the particles may be able to cross the placental barrier.
Of the eight cats studied, microplastics were detected in placental tissue from three cats and in fetal tissue from two. Raman spectroscopy allowed identification of both the polymeric backbone in some cases and, more frequently, the associated pigments. These included Mars Red, goethite, raw sienna, haematite, and Alcian blue – synthetic and mineral-based additives commonly used in plastics. For seven particles, the polymer matrix was confirmed as polyethylene (PE) based on spectral matches with known standards.
Only coloured particles between 1 and 10 μm were analysed – a range selected due to their greater optical contrast on filters and their likelihood of crossing biological membranes. Raman spectral analysis was conducted using a Horiba LabRAM HR Evolution microspectrometer and data compared against the SLOPP spectral library and KnowItAll software.
“Micro-Raman spectroscopy is one of the most used techniques for detecting and identifying micro- and nanoplastics in environmental and biological samples,” the authors note, adding that while the technique can underestimate total particle count – especially for colourless plastics – its specificity in identifying both polymers and pigments makes it a valuable tool for tissue-based studies.
The study follows a growing body of research reporting microplastic contamination in human placentas, amniotic fluid, and even fetal tissues. In rodent models, maternal exposure to microplastics – particularly polystyrene nanoparticles – has been associated with “reproductive toxicity, placental disruption, and altered fetal development,” the authors write, referencing prior studies that found skeletal muscle dysplasia and disrupted gene expression in exposed fetuses.
The authors call for the development of plastic alternatives and policy interventions to mitigate environmental and biological contamination.
“These findings should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and industries to prioritize strategies aimed at mitigating plastic pollution to protect both environmental and biological systems,” the authors conclude.
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