SHAH ALAM - Microplastic pollution had invaded a concerning new frontier: the human reproductive system.
Scientists discovered microplastics in human testicles for the first time, raising alarms over a potential connection to the global decline in sperm counts.
Unconvering the issue of male infertility, back in 2023 Sinar Daily spoke to TMC Fertility Consultant Urologist Dr Muhilan Parameswaran and Malaysian Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology president Dr Navdeep Singh in episode of the Wacana Podcast titled "Male Fertility: Sperm Count Crisis". Watch the discussion here.
According to the online news portal The Guardian, a groundbreaking study published in Toxicological Sciences revealed that microplastics were found in all 23 human testicle samples tested, as well as in the testes of 47 dogs.
"Sperm counts in men have been falling for decades, with chemical pollution such as pesticides implicated by many studies.
"Microplastics have also recently been discovered in human blood, placentas, and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination of people’s bodies,” the article stated.
The research marked a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into the health effects of microplastic contamination, with findings suggesting possible links to declining male fertility.
The tests used in the study were collected from post-mortems conducted between 2016 and 2023 involving men ranging in age from 16 to 88.
Although sperm counts in the human samples could not be measured due to the preservation process, researchers were able to evaluate sperm counts in the dog samples.
They found a clear correlation between higher levels of PVC contamination and lower sperm counts in the dogs.
Prof Xiaozhong Yu from the University of New Mexico admitted that he had initially doubted whether microplastics could infiltrate the reproductive system.
"When I first received the results for dogs, I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans,” he said.
Impact of Microplastics on Reproductive Health
The study’s findings contributed to the growing evidence that microplastics may harm human health.
Polyethylene, commonly used in plastic bags and bottles, was the most frequently detected microplastic in the testicle samples, followed by PVC, which is known to release chemicals that interfere with sperm production and disrupt hormones.
Though the study established a correlation between microplastic exposure and reproductive health issues, further research was needed to determine whether microplastics were a direct cause of declining sperm counts.
Sperm counts in men had been steadily falling for decades, with chemical pollution from pesticides and other sources long suspected as contributing factors.
Wider Health Concerns
The presence of microplastics in human testicles was only the latest in a series of troubling discoveries.
Recent research had also found microplastics in human blood, breast milk, and placentas, raising concerns about their pervasive presence in the human body.
While the health implications were still being studied, laboratory experiments had shown that microplastics could damage human cells.
One of the most worrisome potential effects was inflammation, which could occur as the tiny particles lodged in tissues, similar to the harmful effects of air pollution particles.
In addition, chemicals present in plastics might lead to hormonal disruptions or other long-term health issues.
Earlier that year, doctors had warned of the risks microplastics posed to cardiovascular health, linking them to higher chances of stroke, heart attack, and premature death when found in blood vessels.
Environmental Crisis
The discovery highlighted the larger environmental issue of plastic waste.
Microplastics had polluted ecosystems worldwide, from the peaks of Mount Everest to the deepest parts of the oceans.
Humans ingested these tiny particles through food, water, and even the air they breathed.
"The impact on younger generations could be even more concerning. There is far more plastic in the environment today than in past decades,” the article read.
As scientists continued to explore the extent of microplastic contamination in the human body, the potential consequences for reproductive and overall health became increasingly apparent.