We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyethylene microplastic exposure adversely affects oocyte quality in human and mouse
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found polyethylene microplastics (the most common plastic type) in the fluid surrounding eggs in 86% of women undergoing fertility treatment, and higher levels correlated with lower fertilization rates. Mouse experiments confirmed that polyethylene exposure reduced the number and quality of eggs while increasing inflammation, suggesting microplastics may be a contributing factor to fertility challenges.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants, resulting in unavoidable human exposure. This study identified MPs in follicular fluid and investigated the specific MPs and mechanisms that adversely affect oocytes. MPs in the follicular fluid of 44 infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology were measured using Raman microspectroscopy. Differential metabolites in follicular fluid were analyzed via untargeted metabolomics. Female mice were exposed to polyethylene (PE) to validate human findings. MPs, particularly PE, exhibited the highest detection rate (86.4 %) in human follicular fluid and showed a negative correlation with fertilization rates (r = -0.407, P = 0.007). Elevated PE levels altered metabolites primarily involved in metabolic pathways, ferroptosis, and ovarian steroidogenesis. In mice, PE exposure significantly reduced the number of retrieved oocytes (31.5 vs. 36.3, P < 0.05) and fertilization rate (70.8 % vs. 85.2 %, P < 0.001), while increasing the proportion of poor-quality oocytes (28.2 % vs. 16.5 %, P < 0.001) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared to controls. RNA sequencing indicated significant upregulation of inflammation-related genes (Il10ra, Il1a, Il33, Tnfaip8l2, and Tnfrsf1b) in the PE-exposed group. In conclusion, PE exposure impairs oocyte quality possibly by disrupting follicular fluid metabolism, elevating inflammation-related gene expression, and increasing ROS production in oocytes.
More Papers Like This
Characterization of microplastics in human follicular fluid and assessment of their potential impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found microplastics in human follicular fluid, the liquid surrounding eggs in the ovaries, after analyzing samples from 19 women. When they tested how these particles affect egg development in mice, they found that certain types of microplastics reduced the ability of eggs to mature properly, raising concerns about potential effects on fertility.
Size- and hydrophobicity-dependent accumulation of microplastics in follicular fluid is linked to impaired ovarian reserve in women undergoing medically assisted reproduction
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in follicular fluid and blood from women undergoing fertility treatment and found that nearly all samples contained microplastics. Higher microplastic concentrations in follicular fluid were significantly associated with reduced oocyte yield and lower odds of pregnancy, with evidence suggesting that certain hydrophobic polymers selectively accumulate in the ovary.
Associations between concentrations of microplastics in follicular fluid and the risk of diminished ovarian reserve
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a case-control study comparing microplastic levels in follicular fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve versus controls. Total microplastic abundance was significantly higher in the diminished ovarian reserve group (30.63 vs. 18.48 micrograms per gram), and elevated levels of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC were associated with reduced markers of ovarian function.
Polyethylene and Polyvinyl Chloride Nanoplastics in Human Follicular Fluid and Seminal Plasma: Impact on Fertilization and Sperm Quality
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected polyethylene and PVC nanoplastics in both the follicular fluid and seminal plasma of 51 couples undergoing IVF treatment. Higher levels of PVC nanoplastics in seminal plasma were associated with lower sperm concentration and fewer high-quality embryos, while nanoplastics in follicular fluid showed no significant effect on fertilization rates. This is among the first studies to directly measure nanoplastics in human reproductive fluids and link them to reduced fertility outcomes.
Microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: a pilot Raman spectroscopy study
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found tiny plastic particles in the fluid surrounding eggs in the ovaries of 22 out of 27 women undergoing fertility treatment, showing that microplastics can reach even this protected reproductive environment. This is a small pilot study, so it can't tell us whether these plastics actually harm egg quality or fertility, but it raises important questions that researchers need to investigate further with larger studies.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.