A recent report from The Guardian highlights a concerning discovery made by researchers regarding the presence of microplastics in human testicles, potentially linked to declining sperm counts in men. The study, titled ‘Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis,’ conducted by experts at the University of New Mexico in the United States, revealed microplastic pollution in every tissue sample examined.
Lead researcher Xiaozhong Yu expressed surprise at the findings, initially skeptical about the ability of microplastics to penetrate the reproductive system. However, analysis of 23 human and 47 dog testes showed significant microplastic contamination. Published in the Toxicological Sciences journal on May 15, the study scrutinized dissolved tissue samples to assess remaining plastics.
The impact of microplastics on sperm count emerged as a focal point. While the human testicle samples, obtained from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, were preserved without sperm count measurement capability, the canine testes displayed lower sperm counts in samples with higher PVC contamination.
Professor Yu pointed out that PVC, a prevalent plastic type, releases chemicals that can disrupt spermatogenesis and induce endocrine disruptions, suggesting a potential connection between microplastics and reduced sperm counts. This finding underscores the need for further research to substantiate the theory.
The study also highlighted the environmental ubiquity of microplastics, found from Mount Everest to ocean depths, with people inadvertently ingesting and inhaling these particles daily. Moreover, the report linked microscopic plastics in blood vessels to increased risks of stroke, heart attack, and premature death.
Polyethylene, primarily used in plastic bags and bottles, emerged as the most common microplastic found in the testicular samples, followed by PVC. The widespread presence of microplastics and nanoplastics raises concerns about their impact on human reproductive health, though research in this area remains limited.
While a smaller study in China in 2023 detected microplastics in human testes and semen samples, recent mouse studies have shown that microplastics can reduce sperm count and induce abnormalities and hormone disruptions, further underscoring the urgency for comprehensive investigation into the effects of microplastics on reproductive health.
