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The Effects of Microplastics on Sperm Motility: An In Vitro Experimental Study
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Scientists exposed human sperm samples to tiny plastic particles (the same types found in everyday plastics) in a lab setting and found that the plastics slowed down how fast sperm swim, even though the sperm didn't stop moving altogether. While this doesn't prove microplastics cause infertility in real life, it adds to growing evidence that plastic pollution may affect sperm quality, highlighting the need for more research on how our daily plastic exposure could impact fertility.
OBJECTIVE: While microplastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) have been identified in human semen, their clinical impact is still under investigation; this study evaluates the in vitro effect of PE and PS microplastics on sperm motility parameters and DNA fragmentation in human semen samples DESIGN: Experimental Study SUBJECTS: Post-ejaculate semen samples from men evaluated at a New York fertility center (October 2024 - September 2025) were collected. Samples with normal sperm concentration and morphology were included; those with baseline total motility below 2% were excluded. EXPOSURE: Each sample was divided into 200 μL aliquots and exposed to 0 (control), 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 μL of 10% PE (34-50 μm) or PS (10 μm) microbead solutions and incubated for 2 hours at 20°C-22°C. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL) RESULTS: Thirty-two semen samples were analyzed for motility changes. Within each exposure group, 20 samples had normal baseline motility and 10 had low baseline motility according to WHO 5th edition criteria. Exposure to both PS and PE in both groups resulted in a dose dependent reduction of greater than 10% in VAP and VSL from baseline compared to controls (p <0.05). Total and progressive motility were not significantly impacted. CONCLUSION: In vitro exposure to PS and PE microplastics significantly impaired sperm kinematic parameters (VAP, VCL, and VSL) without affecting overall motility. These findings raising concern regarding environmental exposures and supporting need into further research on their reproductive impact.
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The Presence of Microplastics in Human Semen and Their Associations with Semen Quality
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Researchers found microplastics in 75% of human semen samples tested, with an average of 17 particles per gram, including 15 different plastic types. Notably, higher levels of polystyrene microplastics were associated with lower sperm concentration and reduced sperm motility. This is one of the first studies to directly link microplastic presence in human semen to poorer sperm quality, adding to growing concerns about plastics and male fertility.
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in every single sample of pig semen they tested, with pigs exposed to more plastic showing slower-swimming sperm. While this study was done in pigs, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that microplastics—which are already known to show up in human blood and other body fluids—may be sneaking into reproductive systems and potentially affecting fertility. More research is needed to know if the same thing happens in people, but it's a reminder that plastic pollution might be getting closer to our most sensitive biological systems than we'd like.
Impact of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Sperm Functionality: An In Vitro Study of Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity and Fertility-Related Genes Expression
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Researchers exposed human sperm samples to polystyrene microplastics in the lab and observed decreased sperm vitality and motility in a time-dependent manner. The microplastics also caused DNA damage, increased harmful reactive oxygen species, and reduced the expression of genes essential for fertilization. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could impair male fertility through oxidative stress and interference with key reproductive functions.
Size-dependent deleterious effects of nano- and microplastics on sperm motility
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In a mouse study, nano- and microplastics of four different sizes all impaired sperm movement quality, with the smallest particles (25-30 nanometers) causing the most damage. The tiny particles were able to penetrate into testicular cells, while larger particles could not. This research adds to growing evidence that microplastic exposure at environmentally realistic levels could contribute to declining male fertility, with nanoplastics posing the greatest risk due to their ability to enter reproductive tissues.
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