Scientists Find Microplastics in Ovarian Follicular Fluid for the First Time

Microplastics have been found in human brains, placentas, testicular tissues, lungs and blood. Now, in a new study, scientists have identified microplastic particles in human ovarian follicular fluid for the first time, prompting concerns over how these pollutants could impact reproductive health.

The study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, found microplastics in follicular fluid in 14 of 18 samples from people taking part in assisted reproduction treatments at a clinic in Salerno, Italy. The team found an average number of 2,191 particles per milliliter of follicular fluid in their research.

As explained by Science Direct, the follicular fluid is a liquid that surrounds the oocyte during development into an ovum, or egg cell. The fluid provides nutrients, but the presence of microplastics in this fluid could impact the oocyte development.

“Since several studies on animal models have demonstrated the negative effects of [microplastics] on ovarian function, the present study, that verified for the first time the presence of MPs in human follicular fluid, is of great significance for the scientific community in terms of raising awareness of the impact that these increasingly pervasive emerging contaminants have on reproductive function and human health,” the authors wrote in the study.

In the study, the researchers did not find a correlation between the concentration of microplastics and fertilization, miscarriages or live births.

Luigi Montano, who led the study and is a researcher at the University of Rome, has also uncovered microplastics in human urine and semen samples in previous studies. Montano has previously found polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polycarbonate (PC) in semen samples, which he noted could explain declining sperm counts and seminal quality.

In addition to plastics, chemicals like PFAS or phthalates could also be entering the body when humans inhale or ingest microplastics. According to Reuters, humans consume an average of 5 grams of plastic per week, per person.

As The Guardian reported, research in animals has shown that microplastics could lead to reduced maturation of oocytes, lower fertilization capacities and ovarian dysfunction. Based on previous research and the confirmation of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid, the researchers warned that more research is needed to determine how these microplastics could be affecting reproduction.

“Although still limited in numbers, this discovery should serve as an important warning signal about the invasiveness of these emerging contaminants in the female reproductive system, considering that they can alter its composition and have an impact on the oocyte, thus posing a significant reproductive risk for our species,” the authors wrote.

In the meantime, humans can limit their exposure to microplastics by using reusable materials, like glass or steel water bottles, over plastic; not microwaving food in plastic containers; swapping clothing to natural over synthetic fibers; and generally cutting back on single-use plastic materials.