Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Detection and characterization of microplastics in the human testis and semen

Researchers detected microplastics in both human testis tissue and semen samples for the first time, finding an average of about 12 particles per gram in testis and different plastic types in semen. Polystyrene dominated in testis while polyethylene and PVC were most common in semen, providing critical evidence that microplastics can pollute the male reproductive system and raising concerns about potential fertility impacts.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 390 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

O-192 The presence of microplastics in testicular tissue: implications for male infertility

This meta-analysis investigated the presence of microplastics in testicular tissue and found evidence of microplastic infiltration that may be linked to male infertility. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure could affect reproductive health, though more research is needed to fully understand the connection.

2025 Human Reproduction
Article Tier 2

Raman Microspectroscopy evidence of microplastics in human semen

Researchers found microplastic fragments in six out of ten human semen samples from men in a polluted region of southern Italy, identifying common plastics like polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET. The study proposes that microplastics enter semen through the reproductive tract after being ingested or inhaled, raising concerns about potential effects on male fertility.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 189 citations
Article Tier 2

Associations between microplastics and sperm motility parameters in boar semen

Researchers analyzed microplastic particles in boar semen samples using FTIR spectroscopy, identified nine polymer types across a range of particle sizes, and found associations between specific microplastic characteristics and sperm motility parameters, suggesting microplastic contamination in semen may impair reproductive function.

2025 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Article Tier 2

The Microplastics and Human Health: Focus on the Reproductive System

This review examined evidence that microplastics accumulate in human reproductive tissues and evaluated their potential effects on fertility and reproductive health. The authors found microplastics detected in testes, ovaries, placenta, and semen, and summarized mechanistic evidence linking them to hormonal disruption, oxidative stress, and impaired gamete function.

2025 Quality in Sport
Article Tier 2

Microplastics detected in three types of female reproductive organs using micro-Raman spectroscopy

Researchers detected microplastics in tissue samples from three types of female reproductive organs — uterine tissue with adenomyosis, ovarian cysts, and fallopian tubes — collected from 60 women. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common types found, with most particles smaller than 20 micrometers. This study provides direct evidence that microplastics accumulate in human reproductive tissues, though more research is needed to determine whether they contribute to reproductive diseases.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 17 citations
Article Tier 2

O-280 Unveiling the hidden danger: detection and characterisation of microplastics in human follicular and seminal fluids

Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in human follicular fluid and seminal fluid, providing evidence that plastic particles are present in both male and female reproductive systems. Multiple types of microplastics were identified in the samples using advanced spectroscopic techniques. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastics reach human reproductive organs, raising important questions about their potential effects on fertility and reproductive health.

2025 Human Reproduction 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis

Researchers found microplastics in every dog and human testis sample tested, with human testes containing nearly three times more plastic than dog testes. Polyethylene was the dominant plastic type in both species, and certain plastics like PVC and PET were associated with lower testis weight. These findings suggest that widespread microplastic contamination of the male reproductive system could be contributing to declining sperm counts.

2024 Toxicological Sciences 179 citations
Article Tier 2

Atlas and source of the microplastics of male reproductive system in human and mice

Researchers mapped microplastic contamination throughout the male reproductive system in both humans and mice, finding plastics in the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. The study suggests that microplastics found in semen likely originate from these reproductive organs rather than from external contamination. A lifestyle questionnaire revealed that living in urban areas, eating home-cooked meals, and using scrub cleansers were significant sources of microplastic exposure in men.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in the human penis

In the first study to look for microplastics in human penile tissue, researchers detected plastic particles in 80% of samples from six men undergoing surgery, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene being the most common types. This finding adds the penis to the growing list of human organs where microplastics have been found, raising questions about potential effects on male reproductive health.

2024 International Journal of Impotence Research 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Method for label-free & non-destructive detection of microplastics in human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections

Researchers developed a new method to detect microplastic particles directly in preserved human colon tissue samples using advanced infrared microscopy, without destroying the tissue. They identified polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET particles within the tissue and observed signs of inflammation near the plastic particles, marking what may be the first workflow that combines microplastic detection with standard pathology analysis in human samples.

2025 Scientific Reports 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

Researchers analyzed lung tissue from 13 people and found microplastics in 11 of the samples, identifying 12 different plastic types including polypropylene and polyester. The particles were found in all regions of the lungs, with significantly higher concentrations in the lower lung. This is one of the first studies to directly confirm that microplastics from everyday environments can be inhaled and accumulate deep in human lung tissue.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 1264 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence and implications of microplastic contaminants in general human seminal fluid: A Raman spectroscopic study

Microplastics were detected in all 40 semen samples from men in the general population with no occupational plastic exposure, with an average of 2 particles per sample and polystyrene being the most common type. Sperm exposed to different plastic types showed varying motility, suggesting that the kind of microplastic present may matter for male fertility.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and quantification of various microplastics in human endometrium based on laser direct infrared spectroscopy

For the first time, researchers detected microplastics in human uterine lining tissue, finding 13 different types of plastic particles in the samples. Most particles were very small (under 100 micrometers), and certain habits like drinking from plastic bottles and chewing gum were linked to higher microplastic levels. This raises concerns about potential effects on reproductive health and fertility, though more research is needed.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 91 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of Infrared and Near-Infrared Microspectroscopy to Microplastic Human Exposure Measurements

This review evaluates how infrared and near-infrared microscopy techniques are being used to measure human exposure to microplastics from drinking water, dust, food, and air. Researchers found that while these spectroscopic tools are powerful for identifying plastic types and sizes, significant challenges remain in standardizing methods across different sample types. The study highlights that consistent, reliable exposure measurements are essential for understanding whether microplastic levels in everyday environments pose meaningful health risks.

2023 Applied Spectroscopy 19 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics and male reproductive system: A comprehensive review based on cellular and molecular effects

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.

2026 Toxicology Reports
Article Tier 2

Optical photothermal infrared spectroscopic assessment of microplastics in tissue models and non-digested human tissue sections

Researchers developed a method using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy to detect and map microplastics directly within tissue sections without requiring chemical or enzymatic digestion. The study suggests this approach preserves spatial information about where microplastics are located within tissue architecture, overcoming a key limitation of conventional digestion-based methods that can lose some particles.

2026 The Analyst
Article Tier 2

The Invisible Intruder: a Review of Microplastics Accumulation in Human Tissues and Implications for Public Health, with Emphasis on Reproductive Health

This review synthesizes biomonitoring studies on microplastic and nanoplastic accumulation in human tissues, with particular emphasis on reproductive health effects. Researchers found these particles have been detected in blood, lungs, placentas, breast milk, testes, and brain tissue, raising questions about potential long-term implications for human health and reproduction.

2026 International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in human urine: Characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants

Researchers analyzed urine samples from healthy individuals and endometriosis patients, detecting microplastics in the majority of both groups, with 22 different polymer types found. While microplastic levels were not significantly different between the two groups, the finding that plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PTFE are being excreted in human urine confirms that these particles are circulating through the body.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contaminationof Human Sperm before InVitro Fertilization Warrants Attention for Early Life Exposure Risks

Researchers investigated whether medical plasticware used in IVF procedures contaminates human sperm with microplastics, raising concerns about direct reproductive cell exposure to microplastics released during sperm extraction and handling.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

The Presence of Microplastics in Human Semen and Their Associations with Semen Quality

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.

2025 Toxics 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of microplastics in human placenta using laser direct infrared spectroscopy

Using laser direct infrared spectroscopy, researchers detected microplastics in all 17 human placentas examined in this study. The most common types were polypropylene and polyethylene, the same plastics found in food containers and packaging. This finding is significant because it shows that microplastics can reach the placenta, raising important questions about potential effects on fetal development during pregnancy.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 333 citations
Article Tier 2

Dose-Dependent Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics on the Testicular Tissues of the Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Male rats exposed to increasing doses of polystyrene microplastics showed dose-dependent testicular damage including disrupted spermatogenesis and altered hormone levels, suggesting potential reproductive toxicity from microplastic accumulation.

2021 Dose-Response 98 citations
Article Tier 2

MicroRaman spectroscopy detects the presence of microplastics in human urine and kidney tissue

Scientists confirmed for the first time that microplastics accumulate in human kidney tissue, finding 26 plastic particles in kidney and urine samples using advanced spectroscopy. The most common plastics found were polyethylene and polystyrene, with particles ranging from 1 to 29 micrometers in kidneys, providing the first direct evidence that microplastics can deposit in human kidneys.

2024 Environment International 172 citations