News | Microplastics in the Reproductive System? Scientists Reveal Their Surprising Prevalence
A study presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) found microplastics in the human reproductive system: particles were detected in 69% of follicular fluid samples and 55% of semen samples. The finding has raised concerns about possible effects on human fertility. The results will be published in Human Reproduction.
The team analyzed follicular fluid from 29 women and semen from 22 men, two fluids that play vital roles in natural conception and assisted reproduction. Several common microplastic polymers were found in both sample types, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU).
In follicular fluid, PTFE was most common, appearing in 31% of samples, followed by PP (28%), PET (17%), PA (14%), polyethylene (PE, 10%), PU (10%), and PS (7%). In semen, PTFE was also most common (41%), followed by PS (14%), PET (9%), PA (5%), and PU (5%).
To prevent external contamination, all samples were collected and stored in glass containers. They underwent chemical treatment before analysis, followed by laser direct infrared microscopy to identify microplastic components.
Study leader Emilio Gomez-Sanchez, PhD, said: “Previous studies have found microplastics in several human organs, so we were not entirely surprised. What shocked us was how widespread they were—present in the reproductive fluids of nearly 70% of women and more than half of men.”
Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter and are recognized as a threat to environmental and public health. Although this study did not directly assess their effects on human fertility, animal studies suggest that microplastics accumulating in tissue may cause inflammation, free-radical production, DNA damage, cellular aging, and endocrine disruption. “In theory, these mechanisms could affect the quality of human eggs or sperm, but we currently lack conclusive evidence,” Gomez-Sanchez added.
The team plans to expand the sample size and incorporate participants’ lifestyle and environmental exposure data to investigate links between microplastics and oocyte and sperm quality.
Gomez-Sanchez stressed that fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health, and genetics, and that the findings should not cause undue alarm. “Microplastics are only one of many factors that may affect fertility, but reducing exposure makes sense. For example, storing and heating food in glass containers and drinking less water from plastic bottles can help reduce intake.”
Former ESHRE chair Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, MD, said: “Environmental factors do affect reproduction, although their impact is difficult to quantify precisely. These findings give us another reason to reduce plastic use in daily life.”
News | Microplastics in the Reproductive System? Scientists Reveal Their Surprising Prevalence
News | Microplastics in the Reproductive System? Scientists Reveal Their Surprising Prevalence
A study presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) found microplastics in the human reproductive system: particles were detected in 69% of follicular fluid samples and 55% of semen samples. The finding has raised concerns about possible effects on human fertility. The results will be published in Human Reproduction.
The team analyzed follicular fluid from 29 women and semen from 22 men, two fluids that play vital roles in natural conception and assisted reproduction. Several common microplastic polymers were found in both sample types, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU).
In follicular fluid, PTFE was most common, appearing in 31% of samples, followed by PP (28%), PET (17%), PA (14%), polyethylene (PE, 10%), PU (10%), and PS (7%). In semen, PTFE was also most common (41%), followed by PS (14%), PET (9%), PA (5%), and PU (5%).
To prevent external contamination, all samples were collected and stored in glass containers. They underwent chemical treatment before analysis, followed by laser direct infrared microscopy to identify microplastic components.
Study leader Emilio Gomez-Sanchez, PhD, said: “Previous studies have found microplastics in several human organs, so we were not entirely surprised. What shocked us was how widespread they were—present in the reproductive fluids of nearly 70% of women and more than half of men.”
Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter and are recognized as a threat to environmental and public health. Although this study did not directly assess their effects on human fertility, animal studies suggest that microplastics accumulating in tissue may cause inflammation, free-radical production, DNA damage, cellular aging, and endocrine disruption. “In theory, these mechanisms could affect the quality of human eggs or sperm, but we currently lack conclusive evidence,” Gomez-Sanchez added.
The team plans to expand the sample size and incorporate participants’ lifestyle and environmental exposure data to investigate links between microplastics and oocyte and sperm quality.
Gomez-Sanchez stressed that fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health, and genetics, and that the findings should not cause undue alarm. “Microplastics are only one of many factors that may affect fertility, but reducing exposure makes sense. For example, storing and heating food in glass containers and drinking less water from plastic bottles can help reduce intake.”
Former ESHRE chair Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, MD, said: “Environmental factors do affect reproduction, although their impact is difficult to quantify precisely. These findings give us another reason to reduce plastic use in daily life.”
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Collected online