Papers

61,005 results
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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

Associations between concentrations of microplastics in follicular fluid and the risk of diminished ovarian reserve

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.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations
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
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

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

Polyethylene microplastic exposure adversely affects oocyte quality in human and mouse

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.

2024 Environment International 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Different types of nanoplastics exert varying degrees of toxicity on human sperm at semen-related concentrations

Researchers detected multiple types of nanoplastics in human semen using pyrolysis gas chromatography and then tested their effects on sperm function at the concentrations actually found. Polyethylene showed the highest toxicity, significantly reducing sperm viability, motility, and mitochondrial function, while polypropylene had no observable effects at semen-related concentrations. The findings indicate that different nanoplastic types pose varying levels of risk to male reproductive health.

2025 Reproductive Toxicology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Size- and hydrophobicity-dependent accumulation of microplastics in follicular fluid is linked to impaired ovarian reserve in women undergoing medically assisted reproduction

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.

2026
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollution in human reproduction: should we worry?

Researchers reviewed evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the placenta, enter amniotic fluid, and accumulate in reproductive tissues in both men and women. Animal and cell studies suggest these particles may reduce egg and sperm quality and harm fetal development, though most experiments use higher doses than people realistically encounter.

2025 Reproductive BioMedicine Online
Article Tier 2

The Rising Threat: Nano and Microplastics Infiltration in Urinary and Reproductive Systems

A multicenter biomonitoring study from the EcoFoodFertility Project detected microplastics in human urine, semen, and follicular fluid samples, linking environmental microplastic contamination to the urinary and reproductive systems and raising concerns about fertility impacts.

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

Microplastics and human fertility: A comprehensive review of their presence in human samples and reproductive implication

This review examines the growing evidence linking microplastic and nanoplastic exposure to potential effects on human fertility. Researchers noted that these tiny plastic particles have been detected in blood, placenta, and seminal fluid, suggesting continuous systemic exposure and the ability to cross key biological barriers. Animal studies indicate that microplastics may affect reproductive health through oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and tissue damage, though more standardized human research is needed.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics in human follicular fluid and assessment of their potential impact on mouse oocyte maturation in vitro

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.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 10 citations
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
Review Tier 2

"Unseen Dangers: The Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Human Reproductive Health - A Narrative Review"

This review examines the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on human reproductive health, covering evidence from in vitro, animal, and epidemiological studies showing that plastic particles can disrupt hormone signaling, sperm function, ovarian development, and placental integrity.

2025 Recent Advances in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery
Article Tier 2

Adverse effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the reproductive system: A comprehensive review of fertility and potential harmful interactions

This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics can harm both male and female reproductive systems by disrupting hormone signaling, damaging sperm and egg cells, and causing inflammation in reproductive tissues. Smaller nanoplastics are especially concerning because they can cross biological barriers more easily and reach the testes and ovaries. With global infertility rates rising, the authors highlight environmental plastic exposure as a factor that deserves more research attention.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China

In a study of 113 men across three regions in China, microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples tested, with eight different plastic types identified. The presence of certain microplastics, particularly PTFE (Teflon), was associated with reduced sperm quality, suggesting that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male fertility.

2024 EBioMedicine 67 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Reproductive and developmental implications of micro- and nanoplastic internalization: Recent advances and perspectives

This systematic review documented the detection of micro- and nanoplastics in human semen, placenta, and ovarian follicular fluid, and found evidence linking exposure to impaired sperm quality, disrupted ovarian function, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In animal models, MNPs caused developmental toxicity and transgenerational effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modification identified as key mechanisms.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 23 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 Contamination of Human Sperm before In Vitro Fertilization Warrants Attention for Early Life Exposure Risks

Researchers discovered that plastic labware used during in vitro fertilization procedures can release microplastic particles into sperm samples when tools scratch the surface of petri dishes. Each scratch could produce up to 13 microplastic particles, and most of these ended up mixed in with the sperm cells at estimated concentrations of 100 to 22,000 particles per milliliter. The findings raise important questions about early-life microplastic exposure for babies conceived through assisted reproduction.

2025 Environment & Health 2 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Exposure to micro- and nanoplastics and human reproductive outcomes: a systematic review

This systematic review summarizes existing research on whether micro and nanoplastics affect human fertility and pregnancy outcomes. While the evidence is still emerging, the review found that these particles have been detected in placenta and fetal tissue, raising important questions about potential effects on reproductive health that warrant further study.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of nano and microplastics on the reproduction system: In vitro and in vivo studies review

This review summarizes both lab and animal studies on how micro and nanoplastics affect the reproductive system in males and females. Evidence shows that microplastics can reduce sperm quality, damage ovaries, disrupt hormone levels, and even cross the placenta during pregnancy. The findings raise significant concerns about how widespread microplastic exposure might contribute to fertility problems and reproductive health issues in humans.

2023 Food and Chemical Toxicology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics are present in women’s and cows’ follicular fluid and polystyrene microplastics compromise bovine oocyte function in vitro

Researchers detected microplastics in follicular fluid from both women and cows and showed that polystyrene microplastics disrupt oocyte development, providing the first evidence that microplastics can penetrate reproductive barriers and potentially contribute to the global decline in fertility.

2023 4 citations
Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: an emerging threat to female fertility

In the first study of its kind, researchers detected microplastics in the ovarian follicular fluid of 14 out of 18 women undergoing fertility treatment, with an average of about 2,191 particles per milliliter. A significant correlation was found between microplastic concentration and FSH hormone levels, suggesting a possible link to reproductive function. This groundbreaking finding provides direct evidence that microplastics can reach human reproductive organs and may pose a threat to female fertility.

2024 10 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