Latest news with #HumanReproduction
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers make disturbing discovery after examining human reproductive fluid: 'This is not an isolated finding'
Researchers make disturbing discovery after examining human reproductive fluid: 'This is not an isolated finding' Scientists have detected microplastics in human semen and follicular fluid, the liquid that surrounds an egg in an ovarian follicle. "This is not an isolated finding –– it appears to be quite common," lead research author Dr. Emilio Gómez-Sánchez told CNN Health. These tiny particles are the remnants that persist in the environment when plastics break down. They are sometimes so small that they are not visible to the naked eye, and they have been found in the ocean, drinking water, food, and in the living tissue of wild animals and humans. What's happening? The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, has not yet been peer reviewed. It sampled 25 women and 18 men, with microplastics found in 69% of follicular fluid and 55% of seminal fluid. Gómez-Sánchez was not surprised that microplastics were present, as that outcome had been suggested by previous research, but he was surprised by how common it was. Microplastics enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. They can enter the bloodstream and be distributed throughout the body and have been detected in various other organs. The study found nine different types of microplastics in the reproductive fluids studied. Why is the presence of microplastics in the human reproductive system concerning? The chemicals used in the plastic production process present a threat. When those chemicals leach from microplastics into the body, they can cause health risks. Multiple types of plastic were present in reproductive fluids at varying levels, with polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene found in over 50% of follicular fluid samples, and polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephthalate found in over 30% of follicular fluid samples. Gómez-Sánchez said, "We don't know if they have a direct effect on the capacity of a couple to conceive and carry a baby to term." Most research on microplastic exposure to date has been conducted on animals, so there is not a lot of direct evidence regarding their effects on humans. What can be done about microplastics in the human reproductive system? This study will hopefully lead to more funding and focus on further research on how microplastics affect the human reproductive systems of women and men, as well as how they affect other aspects of human health. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While we don't know everything about the long-term effects of microplastic exposure, we can do our best to reduce our use of plastics, particularly in food containers and cookware. Using reusable glass, metal, or bamboo food and water containers is a fairly simple place to start. Gómez-Sánchez said, "Reproduction is a complex equation, and microplastics are a variable in this equation." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Scientists discover microplastics in human semen and follicular fluid
By Kristen Rogers , CNN Microplastics are polymer fragments that range in size Photo: AFP/BEN STANSALL Scientists have detected microplastics - the tiny and pervasive fragments now found in our seas, drinking water, food and, increasingly, living tissue - in human semen and follicular fluid, according to new research. A small group of 25 women and 18 men participated in the research, published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction. Microplastics were detected in 69 percent of the follicular fluid samples and 55 percent of the seminal fluid samples. Follicular fluid is the liquid that surrounds an egg in an ovarian follicle. The research is an abstract - a short summary of completed research - and has not yet been peer reviewed. It was presented Tuesday in Paris at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. "Previous studies had already suggested this possibility, so the presence of microplastics in the human reproductive system is not entirely unexpected," said lead research author Dr. Emilio Gómez-Sánchez, director of the assisted reproduction laboratory at Next Fertility Murcia in Spain, in a statement provided to the press. "What did surprise us, however, is how widespread it is. This is not an isolated finding - it appears to be quite common." Microplastics are polymer fragments that range in size from less than 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Polymers are chemical compounds with long chains of large and repetitive molecular units called monomers, and are known for being flexible and durable. Most plastics are synthetic polymers. Plastics smaller than the measurement criteria for microplastics are considered nanoplastics, which are measured in billionths of a meter. "Microplastics primarily enter the body through three routes: ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact," Gómez-Sánchez said. "From there, they can enter the bloodstream, which then distributes them throughout the body, including to the reproductive organs." In previous studies, the fragments have also been detected in various body parts or fluids including the lungs, placenta, brain, testicles, nose tissue at the base of the brain, penises and human stool. "Decades of studies and the (US Food and Drug Administration) agree that microplastics are not a threat because exposure is extremely low and they are non-toxic," said Dr. Chris DeArmitt, founder of the Plastics Research Council, via email. However, while there is little to nothing known about the potential effects of microplastics on human health, chemicals used in plastic production - that often leach from plastics - are linked with health risks including hormonal disruptions, certain cancers, respiratory diseases and skin irritation. The research participants were patients and donors at Next Fertility Murcia. The women were undergoing egg retrieval, formally known as follicular aspiration, for assisted reproduction, while the men were undergoing semen analysis. The authors stored and froze the samples in glass, then incubated them for two days before analysing them using an imaging technique combining microscopy and infrared laser. The research team also analysed the containers used to collect and store samples to ensure they hadn't been contaminated with microplastics. The abstract doesn't disclose what materials the collection containers were made of. Imaging revealed nine types of microplastics in the reproductive fluids. Over 50 percent of the follicular fluid samples contained polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE), while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were discovered in over 30% of the follicular fluid samples. Polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polylactic acid (PLA) appeared in over 20 percent of the follicular fluid samples. In the semen samples, 56 percent contained PTFE. Synthetic polyamide is commonly known as nylon, often used in textiles, plastics and automotive parts. Polyurethane is commonly used in coatings, foams and adhesives for furniture, construction, automotive parts, footwear and more. Polyethylene and polypropylene are often found in packaging, construction uses and consumer goods, such as toys and kitchenware. The plastic PTFE is widely used in nonstick cookware, while PET is found in many food and beverage containers. Polyvinyl chloride is often used in the construction, packaging and medical industries, while PLA is primarily found in food packing, medical implants and 3D-printed objects. In most samples, the researchers found only one or two particles, but they detected up to five in others, Gómez-Sánchez said. Microplastic concentrations were higher in follicular fluid than in semen. However, the overall concentrations of microplastics in both fluids were relatively low when compared with the concentrations of non-plastic particles. The abstract didn't disclose what those non-plastic particles were. "Sadly, (the findings) are not surprising," said Dr. Matthew J. Campen - a researcher who helped lead the discoveries of microplastics in the brain and testicles - via email. Though the research is preliminary, it does "set the stage for more advanced studies of the relationship between plastics exposure and reproductive fitness," added Campen, who wasn't involved in the study and is a regents' professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico. The research affirmed previous studies that had found microplastics in these reproductive fluids, and yet again raises important questions, including how these microplastics are absorbed in the intestine then transported to the gonads, Campen said. "This suggests a very natural mechanism is being hijacked," he added. "It would also be important to assess plastics in the nanoscale range." People trying to conceive naturally or via in vitro fertilization may not need to be concerned about the findings, as they are only preliminary for now, Gómez-Sánchez said. "We don't know if they have a direct effect on the capacity of a couple to conceive and carry a baby to term," he added. "Reproduction is a complex equation, and microplastics are a variable in this equation." The findings also can't yet be linked to more general health outcomes, experts said. "So far, the effects of microplastics on humans have been mainly extrapolated from animal studies, where microplastics were administered at high concentrations," Gómez-Sánchez said. "We currently lack direct evidence regarding their impact on humans." Betsy Bowers, executive director of the EPS Industry Alliance, echoed these disclaimers and noted that the animal research results aren't indicative of harm at regular exposure levels. The EPS (expanded polystyrene) Industry Alliance is a North American trade association representing the EPS industry. The finding that follicular fluid contained more microplastics than semen may be circumstantial, Gómez-Sánchez added, because the study group was small. However, when an ovary is stimulated for assisted reproduction, blood flow to the ovary increases, which may deliver more microplastics to the ovary, he explained. Additional research is needed to identify the types and quantities of microplastics that could cause health problems, said Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, a consultant urologist at Jumeirah American Clinic in Dubai. Ramasamy, who wasn't involved in the study, led the research that found microplastics in penises. "The plan is to increase the number of cases and conduct a survey on lifestyle habits in order to determine if any of these habits are linked to higher concentrations of plastics found in the ovaries and seminal plasma," Gómez-Sánchez said. Gómez-Sánchez and the other researchers also plan to explore whether the presence of microplastics in reproductive fluids affects the quality of sperm and oocytes, he said. Oocytes are cells in ovaries that form an ovum, a mature female reproductive cell that can divide to create an embryo upon fertilization by sperm. The significance of the findings isn't yet clear, but they should be considered an additional argument in favor of avoiding the use of plastics in our daily lives, said Dr. Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Lisbon in Portugal, in a news release. Calhaz-Jorge wasn't involved in the research. Given the ubiquity of plastics, avoidance can be challenging, said Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College, via email. In addition to reducing obvious uses of plastic, you can also avoid using plastic cutting boards and eating ultraprocessed foods. Also limit drinking water from plastic bottles, microwaving food in plastic containers and consuming hot food from plastic containers, Ramasamy said. Food can be stored in glass, stainless steel or bamboo instead of plastic. But "the conversation needs to shift - immediately - to policymakers," Campen said. "Hoping that individual choices can make a difference has been clearly a losing strategy. Federal governments around the world need to make major changes to waste management and recycling policies." Annual plastic production by weight has increased by 250 times in the past 75 years and is on track to triple again by 2060, Landrigan said. "To reduce plastic pollution and safeguard human health, it will be essential that the Global Plastics Treaty that is currently in negotiation at the United Nations impose a global cap on plastic production," Landrigan, who wasn't involved in the research, added. "But smart governments can act now," Campen urged. - CNN
National Post
03-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
Ferring ADAPT-1 Trial Builds on Dosing Evidence for Follitropin Delta
Article content Data presented today at the ESHRE congress builds evidence for conventional-based Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) dosing for Rekovelle ® (follitropin delta); alongside its existing unique algorithm-based dosing Article content PARIS — Follitropin delta starting dose of 15 micrograms (µg)/day has comparable efficacy and safety as a starting dose of 225 International Units (IU)/day of follitropin alfa for ovarian stimulation in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol cycles. This is the key finding of a trial presented today at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Congress in Paris and published in Human Reproduction. These data build on previous studies which have established an estimated point of clinical correspondence for 10 µg follitropin delta to 150 IU follitropin alfa in this class of medications. 1,2 The ADAPT-1 trial was a multicentre, randomised, assessor-blind study involving 300 women aged 18-40 years undergoing IVF or ICSI. 3 The trial compared the efficacy and safety of follitropin delta and follitropin alfa using conventional dosing regimens with a primary endpoint of number of oocytes retrieved. Article content Currently, follitropin delta is approved for use via a dosing algorithm based on serum anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and bodyweight individualised for each patient, and aims to obtain an ovarian response which is associated with a favourable safety/efficacy profile. The clinical value of this approach has been well established 4,5,6,7,8, particularly in treatment-naïve patients where the algorithm aims to achieve 8–14 retrieved oocytes while minimising the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) to optimise the live birth rate in a fresh and frozen transfer cycle. 4,5,6,7,8 Key Findings: Ovarian Response: Both treatment groups achieved a mean of 9.9 oocytes retrieved, indicating similar efficacy Clinical Pregnancy Rates: Clinical pregnancy rates were similar for follitropin delta 31.6% versus 31.0% for follitropin alfa Drug Product Usage: After measurement unit conversion, the mean total dose patients were exposed to was numerically lower for follitropin delta (143.7±33.6 µg) than follitropin alfa (154.3±23.1 µg or 2,105±315 IU) OHSS Rates: Early OHSS rates were low (2.5% for follitropin delta and 3.0% for follitropin alfa), with no cycle cancellations due to excessive ovarian response on either arm of the study. Dr Andrea Bernabeu, Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu and principal investigator of the ADAPT-1 trial, said: 'No patients we see as fertility doctors are the same and the ability to optimise therapy based on patients age, treatment goal and whether they have a high or low response to follicular stimulation are all relevant. These data provide confidence and expand our understanding for dosing in follitropin delta.' Article content Pierre-Yves Berclaz, Chief Science and Medical Officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, stated: 'The ADAPT-1 trial results confirm the efficacy and safety of follitropin delta across the full range of dosing strategies, making it the only recombinant FSH with robust clinical evidence supporting multiple dosing strategies. Ferring will take forward the implications of this study in future dialogue with regulatory authorities.' Article content About GnRH protocols Article content Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists are used as concomitant treatment during ovarian stimulation to prevent premature luteinisation and ovulation for IVF/ICSI. 7,8 About Follitropin Delta (Rekovelle ®) Follitropin delta is a human cell line-derived rFSH with an approved dosing algorithm designed for a predictable ovarian response. 3 It is the first rFSH derived from a human cell line (PER.C6 ® cell line). Follitropin delta is structurally and biochemically distinct from other existing rFSH gonadotrophins. 3,4 Follitropin delta is approved in certain markets for use in controlled ovarian stimulation for the development of multiple follicles in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as IVF or ICSI cycle. The individualised dosing of follitropin delta is determined using an approved algorithm, based on a woman's AMH level and body weight. 3,5 AMH is a biomarker used to assess ovarian reserve and can help predict ovarian response. 5,6 The follitropin delta dose should be based on AMH level, measured using the ELECSYS AMH Plus immunoassay from Roche, the ACCESS AMH Advanced from Beckman Coulter, or LUMIPULSE G AMH from Fujirebio. 3 About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned, research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to building families and helping people live better lives. We are leaders in reproductive medicine with a strong heritage in areas of gastroenterology and urology, and are at the forefront of innovation in uro-oncology gene therapy. Ferring was founded in 1950 and employs more than 7,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, and has operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries which market its medicines in over 100 countries. Article content REFERENCES Article content 1 – Arce JC, Larsson P, Garcia-Velasco JA; Establishing the follitropin delta dose that provides a comparable ovarian response to 150 IU/day follitropin alfa; RBMO; 2020 Article content 2 – Yang R, Zhang Y, Liang X et al; Comparative clinical outcome following individualized follitropin delta dosing in Chinese women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization / intracytoplasmic sperm injection; Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology; 2022 Article content 3 – Clinical page: (Accessed June 2025) Article content 4 – Andersen, A. N., Nelson, S. M., Fauser, B. et al. (2017). Individualized versus conventional ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: A multicenter, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, phase 3 noninferiority trial. Fertility and Sterility, 107(2), 387-396. Article content 5 – Bosch E, Havelock J, Martin FS, Rasmussen BB, Klein BM, Mannaerts B, Arce JC; ESTHER-2 Study Group. Follitropin delta in repeated ovarian stimulation for IVF: a controlled, assessor-blind Phase 3 safety trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019 Feb;38(2):195-205. PMID: 30594482. Article content 6 – Ishihara O, Arce JC, Japanese Follitropin Delta Phase 3 Trial G. Individualized follitropin delta dosing reduces OHSS risk in Japanese IVF/ICSI patients: a randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biomed Online. 2021 May;42(5):909-18. PubMed PMID: 33722477. Epub 2021/03/17. Article content 7 – Qiao J, Zhang Y, Liang X, et al. A randomised controlled trial to clinically validate follitropin delta in its individualised dosing regimen for ovarian stimulation in Asian IVF/ICSI patients. Hum Reprod. 2021 Jun 28;36(9):2452-62. PubMed PMID: 34179971. Epub 2021/06/29. Article content 8 – Blockeel C, Griesinger G, Rago R, et al. Prospective multicenter non-interventional real-world study to assess the patterns of use, effectiveness and safety of follitropin delta in routine clinical practice (the PROFILE study). Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Dec 22;13:992677. PMID: 36619578. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content For more information, please contact Article content M Article content atthew Worrall Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Plastic in your privates: New microplastics discovery sparking fertility concerns
It's time to talk about the birds, the bees and the PTFEs. They're already in our lungs, livers, kidneys, blood and even our brains. New research out Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction reveals that microplastics are coming for our baby-makers, too. In a disturbing discovery, scientists have detected these tiny particles lurking in semen and ovaries — sparking concern about their impact on fertility and reproductive health. Researchers analyzed the follicular and seminal fluid of 29 women and 22 men and found microplastics in 55% of male samples and 69% of female ones. 'Previous studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in various human organs,' lead researcher Dr. Emilio Gomez-Sanchez said in a statement as the research was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology's annual meeting. 'As a result, we weren't entirely surprised to find microplastics in fluids of the human reproductive system, but we were struck by how common they were.' The worst offenders in semen were PTFEs — the chemical name of Teflon — which were identified in 41% of the samples. Trailing behind were polystyrene, which is like styrofoam (14%); polyethylene terephthalate, in the polyester family (9%); polyamide or nylon (5%) and polyurethane, in coatings and foams (5%). The impact these microplastics — defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters in size — have on reproductive health is unclear, but it's unlikely to be anything good. 'What we know from animal studies is that in the tissues where microplastics accumulate, they can induce inflammation, free radical formation, DNA damage, cellular senescence and endocrine disruptions,' Gomez-Sanchez said. 'It's possible they could impair egg or sperm quality in humans, but we don't yet have enough evidence to confirm that.' While he cautions against going into a full-blown panic, the findings are concerning — especially as the US grapples with a fertility crisis. 'There's no need for alarm at this point. Microplastics are just one of many elements that may play a role in fertility,' Gomez-Sanchez said. 'However, it is sensible to consider ways of reducing our exposure to them. Simple steps, such as using glass containers to store and heat food or limiting the amount of water we consume from plastic bottles, can help minimize our intake.' A separate team in Italy recently found microplastics in the ovarian follicular fluid of 14 out of 18 women they studied. Lead author Luigi Montano said the findings were 'very alarming,' noting that his previous research suggested that microplastics lower sperm count and quality. These tiny particles also seem to be present in the uterus and placenta, as well as human testicles, in shockingly high amounts. There are two main ways human bodies get contaminated with microplastics: by breathing them in the air or by eating them in food. Unfortunately, they are ubiquitous, with estimates that 10 million to 40 million metric tons are let loose into the environment every year. Researchers have found that people consume about 5 grams a week, or enough to fill a soup spoon. In a year, that's about 250 grams — described as a 'heaped dinner plate's worth.'
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Scientists discovered microplastics in human semen and follicular fluid
Dr. Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth, who wasn't involved in the research, analyzes microplastics under a microscope in 2023. (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Scientists have detected microplastics — the tiny and pervasive fragments now found in our seas, drinking water, food and, increasingly, living tissue — in human semen and follicular fluid, according to new research. A small group of 25 women and 18 men participated in the research, published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction. Microplastics were detected in 69 per cent of the follicular fluid samples and 55 per cent of the seminal fluid samples. Follicular fluid is the liquid that surrounds an egg in an ovarian follicle. The research is an abstract — a short summary of completed research — and has not yet been peer reviewed. It was presented Tuesday in Paris at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. 'Previous studies had already suggested this possibility, so the presence of microplastics in the human reproductive system is not entirely unexpected,' said lead research author Dr. Emilio Gómez-Sánchez, director of the assisted reproduction laboratory at Next Fertility Murcia in Spain, in a statement provided to the press. 'What did surprise us, however, is how widespread it is. This is not an isolated finding — it appears to be quite common.' Microplastics are polymer fragments that range in size from less than 0.2 inches (5 millimetres) to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometre). Polymers are chemical compounds with long chains of large and repetitive molecular units called monomers, and are known for being flexible and durable. Most plastics are synthetic polymers. Plastics smaller than the measurement criteria for microplastics are considered nanoplastics, which are measured in billionths of a meter. 'Microplastics primarily enter the body through three routes: ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact,' Gómez-Sánchez said. 'From there, they can enter the bloodstream, which then distributes them throughout the body, including to the reproductive organs.' In previous studies, the fragments have also been detected in various body parts or fluids including the lungs, placenta, brain, testicles, nose tissue at the base of the brain, penises and human stool. 'Decades of studies and the (US Food and Drug Administration) agree that microplastics are not a threat because exposure is extremely low and they are non-toxic,' said Dr. Chris DeArmitt, founder of the Plastics Research Council, via email. However, while there is little to nothing known about the potential effects of microplastics on human health, chemicals used in plastic production — that often leach from plastics — are linked with health risks including hormonal disruptions, certain cancers, respiratory diseases and skin irritation. Testing bodily fluids for microplastics The research participants were patients and donors at Next Fertility Murcia. The women were undergoing egg retrieval, formally known as follicular aspiration, for assisted reproduction, while the men were undergoing semen analysis. The authors stored and froze the samples in glass, then incubated them for two days before analyzing them using an imaging technique combining microscopy and infrared laser. The research team also analyzed the containers used to collect and store samples to ensure they hadn't been contaminated with microplastics. The abstract doesn't disclose what materials the collection containers were made of. Imaging revealed nine types of microplastics in the reproductive fluids. Over 50 per cent of the follicular fluid samples contained polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE), while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were discovered in over 30 per cent of the follicular fluid samples. Polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polylactic acid (PLA) appeared in over 20 per cent of the follicular fluid samples. In the semen samples, 56 per cent contained PTFE. Synthetic polyamide is commonly known as nylon, often used in textiles, plastics and automotive parts. Polyurethane is commonly used in coatings, foams and adhesives for furniture, construction, automotive parts, footwear and more. Polyethylene and polypropylene are often found in packaging, construction uses and consumer goods, such as toys and kitchenware. The plastic PTFE is widely used in nonstick cookware, while PET is found in many food and beverage containers. Polyvinyl chloride is often used in the construction, packaging and medical industries, while PLA is primarily found in food packing, medical implants and 3D-printed objects. In most samples, the researchers found only one or two particles, but they detected up to five in others, Gómez-Sánchez said. Microplastic concentrations were higher in follicular fluid than in semen. However, the overall concentrations of microplastics in both fluids were relatively low when compared with the concentrations of non-plastic particles. The abstract didn't disclose what those non-plastic particles were. 'Sadly, (the findings) are not surprising,' said Dr. Matthew J. Campen — a researcher who helped lead the discoveries of microplastics in the brain and testicles — via email. Though the research is preliminary, it does 'set the stage for more advanced studies of the relationship between plastics exposure and reproductive fitness,' added Campen, who wasn't involved in the study and is a regents' professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico. Important questions remain The research affirmed previous studies that had found microplastics in these reproductive fluids, and yet again raises important questions, including how these microplastics are absorbed in the intestine then transported to the gonads, Campen said. 'This suggests a very natural mechanism is being hijacked,' he added. 'It would also be important to assess plastics in the nanoscale range.' People trying to conceive naturally or via in vitro fertilization may not need to be concerned about the findings, as they are only preliminary for now, Gómez-Sánchez said. 'We don't know if they have a direct effect on the capacity of a couple to conceive and carry a baby to term,' he added. 'Reproduction is a complex equation, and microplastics are a variable in this equation.' The findings also can't yet be linked to more general health outcomes, experts said. 'So far, the effects of microplastics on humans have been mainly extrapolated from animal studies, where microplastics were administered at high concentrations,' Gómez-Sánchez said. 'We currently lack direct evidence regarding their impact on humans.' Betsy Bowers, executive director of the EPS Industry Alliance, echoed these disclaimers and noted that the animal research results aren't indicative of harm at regular exposure levels. The EPS (expanded polystyrene) Industry Alliance is a North American trade association representing the EPS industry. The finding that follicular fluid contained more microplastics than semen may be circumstantial, Gómez-Sánchez added, because the study group was small. However, when an ovary is stimulated for assisted reproduction, blood flow to the ovary increases, which may deliver more microplastics to the ovary, he explained. Additional research is needed to identify the types and quantities of microplastics that could cause health problems, said Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, a consultant urologist at Jumeirah American Clinic in Dubai. Ramasamy, who wasn't involved in the study, led the research that found microplastics in penises. 'The plan is to increase the number of cases and conduct a survey on lifestyle habits in order to determine if any of these habits are linked to higher concentrations of plastics found in the ovaries and seminal plasma,' Gómez-Sánchez said. Gómez-Sánchez and the other researchers also plan to explore whether the presence of microplastics in reproductive fluids affects the quality of sperm and oocytes, he said. Oocytes are cells in ovaries that form an ovum, a mature female reproductive cell that can divide to create an embryo upon fertilization by sperm. How to reduce your exposure to microplastics The significance of the findings isn't yet clear, but they should be considered an additional argument in favor of avoiding the use of plastics in our daily lives, said Dr. Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Lisbon in Portugal, in a news release. Calhaz-Jorge wasn't involved in the research. Given the ubiquity of plastics, avoidance can be challenging, said Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College, via email. In addition to reducing obvious uses of plastic, you can also avoid using plastic cutting boards and eating ultraprocessed foods. Also limit drinking water from plastic bottles, microwaving food in plastic containers and consuming hot food from plastic containers, Ramasamy said. Food can be stored in glass, stainless steel or bamboo instead of plastic. But 'the conversation needs to shift — immediately — to policymakers,' Campen said. 'Hoping that individual choices can make a difference has been clearly a losing strategy. Federal governments around the world need to make major changes to waste management and recycling policies.' Annual plastic production by weight has increased by 250 times in the past 75 years and is on track to triple again by 2060, Landrigan said. 'To reduce plastic pollution and safeguard human health, it will be essential that the Global Plastics Treaty that is currently in negotiation at the United Nations impose a global cap on plastic production,' Landrigan, who wasn't involved in the research, added. 'But smart governments can act now,' Campen urged. By Kristen Rogers.
