Scientists discover that exposure to microplastics, especially PTFE, is associated with lower sperm quality, raising alarms about the impact of environmental pollutants on male fertility. Study: Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China . Image Credit: WHITE MARKERS / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal eBioMedicine , a group of researchers assessed the presence of multiple microplastics in human semen and urine and their association with sperm quality in a multi-site study across China.
Background Microplastics, defined as particles smaller than 5 mm, originate from plastic degradation and are found in various consumer products. These pollutants are widespread in ecosystems and have been detected in multiple human tissues, including the liver, lung, placenta, and semen. Microplastics enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.
Research indicates daily consumption of microplastics amounts to an average of 5186 ± 3751 particles per kilogram of body weight per year for children and 1482 ± 1072 particles for adults. Studies raise concerns about their effects on human health, especially male reproductive health. The need for further research to better understand the long-term impacts of mixed microplastic exposure on male fertility and to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms is urgent and of paramount importance.
About the study To explore microplastic exposure in di.
