Spanish scientists They have detected microplastics In 69% of female follicular fluid samples and in 55% of male seminal fluid samples, human reproductive fluids essential for natural and assisted conception. In both cases, the most frequent polymer was polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
The preliminary study, whose details have been published in the Magazine Human Reproduction and will be exhibited in the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) that is held in Paris (France), raises important issues on the possible risks for fertility and reproductive health.
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Microplastics, a common finding in samples
The researchers examined The follicular fluid of 29 women and the seminal fluid of 22 men and identified a series of microplastic polymers of common use, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (pp) and polyurethane (PU), in both groups.
69% female samples had microplastics. The polymer detected more frequently was the PTFE, in 31%of the samples, followed by the PP (28%), the PET (17%), the PA (14%), the polyethylene (PE) (10%), the PU (10%) and the PS (7%), in descending order of prevalence.
In male seminal fluid samples, microplastics were found in 55% of those analyzed. The PTFE was the most prevalent polymer, identified in 41% of the samples, although it was also detected PS (14%), PET (9%), Pa (5%) and PU (5%)in lower concentrations.
All samples were collected and stored in glass containers and underwent a chemical treatment before their Analysis by infrared laser microscopy direct to avoid contamination.
Previous studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in several human organs. Therefore, we were not fully surprised to find microplastics in the fluids of the human reproductive system, but the common attention was caught: 69% of women and 55% of the men we study were found in 69% of the men, ”explains the main researcher of the study, Emilio Gómez-Sánchez, of the University of Murcia (Spain).
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A threat to health
It is known that microplastics – plastic particles of less than 5 millimeters – are a threat to public health and the environment, so, although research did not evaluate how they affect fertility, its detection underlines the need to study the possible implications for human reproductive health.
“What we know for animals studies is that, in tissues where microplastics accumulatethese can cause inflammation, formation of free radicals, DNA damage, cell senescence and endocrine alterations, ”says Gómez-Sánchez, who is also director of the Assisted Reproduction Laboratory of Next Fertility Murcia and Chief Embarastics and Scientific Coordinator at Gametia Gamete Bank.
It is possible that they can affect the quality of the ovules or sperm in humans, but we still do not have enough evidence to confirm it, ”says the Spanish biologist.
To evaluate it, the research team plans to expand its analysis to a broader sample, together with detailed questionnaires about lifestyle and environmental exposure.
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And in later phases of the project the possible relationship between The presence of microplastics and the quality of oocytes and sperm.
Fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health and genetics, so the results should not cause alarm among those who try to conceive, says Gomez-Sánchez.
“There is no reason to alarm at this time. Microplastic are only one of the many elements that can influence fertility. However, it is sensible to consider ways to reduce our exposure to them. Simple measures, such as using glass containers to store and heat food, or limit the amount of water we consume of plastic bottles, they can help minimize our intake.”
(With EFE information)
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