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Microplastics and male reproductive system: A comprehensive review based on cellular and molecular effects
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This comprehensive review examines how microplastics affect the male reproductive system at cellular and molecular levels, drawing on studies from multiple scientific databases. Researchers found that microplastics can damage testicular structure and function, impair spermatogenesis, and disrupt sperm parameters through mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of cell death pathways. The review highlights that microplastics reduce ATP production and trigger signaling cascades that may contribute to male fertility problems.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as an important environmental challenge and can threaten human health. These particles can enter the human body through food consumption, breathing and even skin absorption and cause disruption in the functioning of various organs. In addition, MPs also have an effect on reproduction and can have a negative effect on various stages of reproduction, including gametogenesis and fertilization to embryo formation, and as a result, aggravate infertility problems. This research has investigated the effects of MPs on the male reproductive system, focusing on cellular and molecular processes and approaches to deal with this issue. This review conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple scientific databases. Searches were performed in Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify relevant publications. The search terms used included a combination of MPs, male infertility, sperm, toxicity, and related keywords. The final set of selected articles provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of MPs on cellular and molecular processes in the male reproductive system. In men, MPs can affect the structure and function of the testis and induce the aging process and the inflammatory signaling pathway, oxidative stress, and testicular malignancy. Also, these particles affect the process of spermatogenesis and disrupt sperm parameters. MPs activate different cell signaling pathways and have effects including reducing ATP production, reducing sperm DNA integrity, impairing sperm function and reducing sperm survival. On the other hand, MPs may have destructive effects on the production and balance of male hormones through interaction with the endocrine system. It is evident that proactive measures need to be implemented to address this issue and enhance reproductive health parameters.
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Microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in testicular tissue and disrupt spermatogenesis through oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, and structural damage to reproductive cells, consistently impairing sperm quality in experimental models. With global plastic production accelerating alongside documented declines in semen quality, this review highlights microplastic exposure as a plausible environmental contributor to male infertility warranting urgent human study.
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This narrative review summarizes the evidence that microplastics may harm male reproductive health through oxidative stress, hormone disruption, inflammation, and direct damage to reproductive cells. While animal studies show concerning effects on sperm quality, testicular function, and fertility, human studies are still lacking. The review calls for urgent research on microplastic impacts on human male fertility and for policies to reduce microplastic exposure.
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This review summarizes research on tiny plastic particles found in human semen and testicular tissue. In rodent studies, exposure was linked to cell damage, hormone disruption, and reduced sperm count and quality; human studies show similar associations but are too limited to prove the particles cause male infertility.
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This systematic review found that micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in the testes and epididymis in rodent models, disrupting the blood-testis barrier, increasing germ cell death, reducing sperm motility, and causing hormone imbalance through oxidative stress and inflammation. Smaller nanoplastics penetrate tissues more readily for molecular disruption, while larger microplastics cause greater structural damage.
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