In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have detected microplastic particles in human semen and female reproductive fluids, raising new concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on human fertility.
The findings were presented this week at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Paris and published as an abstract in the journal Human Reproduction. The small-scale study involved 25 women and 18 men, all undergoing fertility treatments at a clinic in Spain.
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Microplastics were detected in 69% of the women’s follicular fluid samples and 55% of semen samples, according to lead researcher Dr. Emilio Gómez-Sánchez, director of the assisted reproduction lab at Next Fertility Murcia. The most commonly found polymers included polyamide (nylon), polyethylene, polyurethane, PTFE (used in non-stick cookware), and PET (used in plastic bottles).
“We weren’t entirely surprised to find microplastics in the reproductive system,” said Dr. Gómez-Sánchez, “but we were struck by how widespread it is.”
Microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, enter the human body primarily through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact and can travel through the bloodstream to various organs, including reproductive tissues.
Although scientists have yet to establish a direct link between microplastics and reduced fertility in humans, researchers caution that they could disrupt hormone function and impair egg or sperm quality.
With global plastic production projected to triple by 2060, researchers encourage individuals to reduce their plastic exposure through small lifestyle changes, such as using glass containers, avoiding heating food in plastic, and limiting bottled water consumption.
