by For the first time, scientists have detected potentially toxic microplastic particles in human sperm and female reproductive fluids and are concerned about possible risks for health and fertility.
A growing group of research warns that these almost ubiquitous tiny particles that are less than 5 mm tall pose a threat to environmental and public health.
Earlier studies have shown that in tissues in which microplastics accumulate, these particles can induce free radical formation, DNA damage, cellular senescence and hormone disorders.
In a recently carried out study, microplastics in human penis samples were also identified, which cause concerns about their potential role in erectile dysfunction.
Now new research, which was presented on Tuesday at the 41st annual conference of the European Society for Human reproduction and embryology (ESHR), was looking for in sperm of 22 men and follicular fluid of 29 women after microplastic.
The researchers found tiny particles of several frequently used microplastic polymers, including polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene -ter -tterhthalat (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyurethane (PU), in both liquids.
Overall, the new study of microplastics in almost 70 percent of the analyzed follicular fluid samples.
PTFE was most common in almost a third of the rehearsals, as researchers stated.
About 55 percent of the analyzed seed samples contained microplastics, with PTFE again performing as the most common polymer.
The researchers excluded contamination as a possible reason for the results, since the samples were collected and saved in glass containers and chemical treatment was subjected to chemical treatment before analysis.
“Earlier studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in various human organs. As a result, we were not entirely surprised to find microplastics in liquids of the human reproductive system,” said senior scientist Emilio Gomez-Sanchez.
“But we were impressed by how often they are 69 percent of women and 55 percent of men we examined,” said Dr. Gomez-Sanchez.
While it is “possible that you can affect eggs or sperm quality”, scientists say that you “have not yet had enough evidence to confirm this”.
The researchers hope to extend their analysis to a larger population and a detailed questionnaire for lifestyle and environmental pollution.
While studies indicate several environmental factors that influence fertility, measuring the direct effects of different active ingredients remains a challenge.
“No alarm is required at this point. Microplastics is only one of many elements that can play a role in fertility,” said Dr. Gomez-Sanchez.
“However, it is reasonable to consider opportunities to reduce our exposure to you. Simple steps, e.g. the use of glass containers to store and heat food or the limitation of the amount of water that we consume from plastic bottles can help to minimize our use,” he said.
