Pd53-01 are Microplastics Present in Human Testicle Tissue? Analysis Using Infrared Spectroscopy

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Basic Research & Pathophysiology (PD53)1 May 2024PD53-01 ARE MICROPLASTICS PRESENT IN HUMAN TESTICLE TISSUE? ANALYSIS USING INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY John M. Masterson, Azita HassanMazandarani, William Querido, Andrzej Steplewski, Yi Zhang, Carissa Huynh, Andrzej Fertala, Nancy Pleshko, and Maurice M. Garcia John M. MastersonJohn M. Masterson , Azita HassanMazandaraniAzita HassanMazandarani , William QueridoWilliam Querido , Andrzej SteplewskiAndrzej Steplewski , Yi ZhangYi Zhang , Carissa HuynhCarissa Huynh , Andrzej FertalaAndrzej Fertala , Nancy PleshkoNancy Pleshko , and Maurice M. GarciaMaurice M. Garcia View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001009456.01770.91.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Environmental microplastics are a consequence of plastic pollution and represent a growing public health concern. Microplastic particles, have been found in human tissues of varying organ systems and have almost uniformly been identified via infrared or Raman spectroscopy. However, little is known about the ability of microplastic particles to infiltrate the male reproductive system. We analyzed male testicle tissue to identify microplastics using standard Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy followed by high-resolution optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy of sectioned tissue. METHODS: Fresh tissue from orchiectomy specimen was paraffin-embedded, sectioned into 5-micron slices, and mounted on low-e microscope slides. Polarizing microscopy was performed using the Nikon Eclipse LV 100N POL light microscope and Perkin Elmer Spotlight 400 imaging spectrometer to identify foreign particles within the tissue. The FTIR spectra of the identified particles were obtained with a resolution of 6.25 µm. These spectra were then compared to entries in a standard Perkin Elmer database. Additionally, spectral data at a spatial resolution of 500 nm were acquired from the same particle using O-PTIR spectroscopy. RESULTS: The comparison of the FTIR spectra with the Perkin Elmer database revealed that the analyzed particle exhibited spectral characteristics matching Azlon (search score 0.67), polyamide resin (search score 0.67), nylon (search score 0.65), and ecteola-modified cellulose (search score 0.65). Refined analyses using O-PTIR demonstrated variations in the spectra from different particle regions, and absorbance peaks were present at 1062, 1166, 1540, and 1650 cm-1 (Figure 1). We propose that broad absorbance centered at∼1062 cm-1 likely indicates modification of the nylon structure, possibly by oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to demonstrate that microplastic materials are indeed able to infiltrate testicular tissue. The clinical consequences of tissue infiltration by microplastics are currently unknown, including whether this phenomenon results in as-yet undescribed clinical harms or benefits. The clinical consequence of this phenomenon remains an area of active research. Download PPT Source of Funding: N/A © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e1138 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information John M. Masterson More articles by this author Azita HassanMazandarani More articles by this author William Querido More articles by this author Andrzej Steplewski More articles by this author Yi Zhang More articles by this author Carissa Huynh More articles by this author Andrzej Fertala More articles by this author Nancy Pleshko More articles by this author Maurice M. Garcia More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...