Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics are detected in bull epididymal sperm and polystyrene microparticles impair sperm fertilization

Researchers found microplastics in all bull sperm samples tested, and when they exposed bovine sperm to polystyrene particles at concentrations matching those found naturally, the sperm's ability to fertilize eggs dropped significantly. Embryos produced from the exposed sperm also showed increased cell death and oxidative damage. This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that microplastics at levels already present in reproductive tissues can directly impair fertility.

2024 Biology of Reproduction 12 citations
Article Tier 2

171 Microplastics are present in bull epididymal sperm and polystyrene bead affects bovine sperm inducing oxidative stress on embryos

Microplastics were detected in bull epididymal sperm, and exposure of sperm to polystyrene beads induced oxidative stress that carried over into the resulting embryos. This conference abstract reports early evidence that plastic contamination of reproductive fluids may impair embryo quality, a finding relevant to understanding the potential fertility effects of widespread microplastic exposure in mammals including humans.

2023 Reproduction Fertility and Development 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The risk of micro/nanoplastics to human sperm and the intervention against their toxicity using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

This study evaluated the toxicity of polystyrene micro/nanoplastics to human sperm using a coculture system including particles from disposable packaging, finding evidence that MNPs can impair sperm function. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were tested as a potential intervention to reduce the toxic effects on male reproductive cells.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

The Impact of Nanoplastics on the Quality of Fish Sperm: A Review

This review synthesized evidence on how nanoplastics in aquatic environments affect fish sperm quality and reproductive function. The authors found that nanoplastic exposure impairs sperm motility, viability, and DNA integrity across multiple fish species, with implications for fish population health in increasingly contaminated water bodies.

2025 Animals
Article Tier 2

Microplastic presence in boar semen: potential risks for reproductive health

Researchers detected microplastic particles in boar semen samples, raising questions about the effects of microplastic contamination on sperm quality and reproductive health in both animals and potentially humans.

2025 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
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

199 Nanoplastics are incorporated by the bovine cumulus–oocyte complex and form a potential treat for oocyte competence

Nanoplastics were found to be taken up by bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes — the cellular unit surrounding an egg — raising concern that nanoplastic contamination of reproductive tissues could compromise egg quality and fertilisation. This conference abstract provides early experimental evidence linking nanoplastic exposure to oocyte competence, with implications for understanding plastic-related reproductive risks across mammals.

2023 Reproduction Fertility and Development
Article Tier 2

Microplastics are detected in bull and dog sperm and polystyrene microparticles impair sperm fertilization

This study found microplastic particles in the sperm of bulls and dogs for the first time, confirming that reproductive fluids are not shielded from plastic contamination. When bovine sperm was exposed to polystyrene microplastics at concentrations matching what was measured in the animals themselves, motility dropped and fertilization success declined, with resulting embryos showing higher levels of oxidative stress and cell death. These findings raise serious concerns about microplastics as a contributing factor to the global decline in male fertility across mammalian species, including humans.

2023 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene and Polyvinyl Chloride Nanoplastics in Human Follicular Fluid and Seminal Plasma: Impact on Fertilization and Sperm Quality

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.

2025 ACS Nano 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake of polystyrene nanoplastics by cumulus-oocyte complexes impairs oocyte and embryo development

Researchers found that 50-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics can penetrate bovine egg cells during in vitro fertilization, significantly delaying both egg maturation and early embryo development. Larger 200-nanometer particles entered the surrounding cumulus cells but could not penetrate the egg itself, suggesting that particle size is a critical factor in nanoplastic reproductive effects.

2026 Reproductive Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics internalization impairs mitochondrial activity in equine sperm

This study assessed how polystyrene nanoplastics internalize into equine sperm and affect mitochondrial function. Nanoplastics impaired mitochondrial activity and sperm motility after internalization, raising concerns about the impact of nanoplastic pollution on male fertility.

2025 Theriogenology
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene andPolyvinyl Chloride Nanoplastics inHuman Follicular Fluid and Seminal Plasma: Impact on Fertilizationand Sperm Quality

Researchers used pyrolysis GC/MS to detect polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanoplastics in follicular fluid and seminal plasma from 51 IVF couples. Both polymers were present in both reproductive fluids, and while associations with fertilization outcomes were not statistically significant, the detection of nanoplastics in human reproductive fluids represents a novel concerning finding.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Nanopolystyrene beads affect motility and reproductive success of oyster spermatozoa (Crassostrea gigas)

Polystyrene nanoplastics with positively charged surfaces caused dramatic reductions in oyster sperm motility and fertilization success at relatively low concentrations, while negatively charged particles only affected motility at higher doses. The study raises concerns about how nanoplastic surface chemistry affects reproductive success in commercially important marine species.

2020 Nanotoxicology 45 citations
Article Tier 2

The presence of microplastics in human semen and the protective role of nicotinamide mononucleotide against polystyrene nanoplastics-induced reproductive and early embryonic toxicity

Researchers detected microplastics, including polystyrene, in human semen samples using laser direct infrared spectroscopy, confirming that these particles reach the male reproductive tract. In laboratory and mouse experiments, polystyrene nanoplastics impaired sperm motility, increased oxidative stress, and disrupted early embryonic development in a dose-dependent manner. The study found that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) effectively reversed many of these harmful effects by restoring antioxidant capacity, suggesting a potential protective intervention.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials
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 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

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

Association of diet and lifestyle factors with semen quality in male partners of Chinese couples preparing for pregnancy

Researchers found that smoking, alcohol consumption, plastic condiment containers, and poor diet choices are linked to lower semen quality in men, suggesting everyday environmental and lifestyle factors — including plastic packaging — can affect male reproductive health.

2023 Reproductive Health 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of Pristine and Photoaging Polystyrene Microspheres on Sperm Quality and DNA Integrity of the Sand Dollars Scaphechinus mirabilis

Researchers exposed sand dollar (Scaphechinus mirabilis) sperm to pristine and UV-photoaged polystyrene microspheres, finding that photoaged particles caused significantly greater reductions in sperm motility and increased DNA damage than pristine particles.

2025 Journal of Xenobiotics
Article Tier 2

Size-dependent deleterious effects of nano- and microplastics on sperm motility

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.

2024 Toxicology 13 citations
Article Tier 2

The effect of luteolin on spermatological parameters, apoptosis, oxidative stress rate in freezing rabbit semen

Researchers examined the effect of the flavonoid luteolin at four concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 µM) on semen quality, oxidative stress, apoptosis, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and dead sperm ratio in frozen-thawed New Zealand rabbit semen. Results showed no statistically significant differences between any luteolin dose and the control group across the assessed spermatological parameters.

2023 Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Acquisition of Goat and Sheep Farming Knowledge and Artificial Insemination Technology of Nanomaterial-Assisted Semen Sexing for Farmers in Wagir District, Malang Regency

Researchers implemented a community empowerment program in Wagir District, Malang Regency, Indonesia, combining goat and sheep husbandry training with artificial insemination technology using nanomaterial-assisted semen sexing to improve livestock productivity. A four-helix collaboration between farmer communities, universities, industry, and local government was used to transfer knowledge and technology to improve availability of superior lambs.

2024 Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat
Article Tier 2

Swimming in Plastamination: Poly-lactic Acid Nanoplastics and Sperm Functions

This conference paper examines the effects of PLA nanoplastics on sperm function, finding that exposure impairs motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity in marine invertebrate and mammalian sperm models, identifying reproductive toxicity as a key concern for biodegradable plastic contamination.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Aquatic Microenvironments Affect Sperm Metabolism and Fertilization of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamark, 1819)

Researchers exposed mussel sperm to amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and measured the effects on fertilization. The study found that 50-nanometer particles caused structural damage to sperm membranes, DNA damage, and reduced motility and fertilizing capacity, while 100-nanometer particles had no significant effect. These findings suggest that the smallest nanoplastic particles may pose the greatest threat to reproductive success in marine organisms.

2023 Toxics 10 citations