Scientists Detect Microplastics in Testicular Tissue

Researchers at the University of New Mexico have found concentrations of microplastics in the testicular tissue of humans and dogs. The findings raise concerns over how these particles can impact the reproductive system.

The project started when study lead Xiaozhong Yu, a professor at the university’s College of Nursing, spoke with colleague Matthew Campen, professor at the university’s College of Pharmacy, about environmental factors impacting sperm count and quality. Campen had previously revealed the presence of microplastics in human placentas.

Yu led a team of researchers who replicated the method used in Campen’s research to analyze testicle tissue samples obtained for testing from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and from animal shelters and veterinary clinics in Albuquerque, as the University of New Mexico reported.

They used advanced sensitive Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to detect and measure the presence of microplastics. “Our study revealed the presence of microplastics in all human and canine testes,” Yu said.

They found 12 different types of microplastics in testicular tissue samples of 23 humans and 47 dogs. The scientists published their findings in the journal Toxicological Sciences.

Not only did the researchers find evidence of microplastics in the testicular tissue samples, but they also found them at higher concentrations than the average concentrations found in tissues from placenta samples in Campen’s study.

“At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could penetrate the reproductive system,” Yu said. “When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans.”

The study authors noted an average concentration of 122.63 micrograms in canine testes and 329.44 micrograms in human testes. The most common type of microplastic found in both the human and dog tissue samples was polyethylene (PE), although the researchers noted no correlation between PE concentrations in the dogs’ tissue samples with lower sperm count. They did, however, find a link between higher PVC concentrations in the canine samples with lower sperm count.

“The plastic makes a difference – what type of plastic might be correlated with potential function,” Yu explained. “PVC can release a lot of chemicals that interfere with spermatogenesis and it contains chemicals that cause endocrine disruption.”

As the Center for Environmental Health, which was not part of the study, reported, PVC is often treated with chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) to make it less brittle, but the additives can pose health risks, including risks to hormones.

Yu pointed out that the study findings are not meant to scare anyone, but they can help increase awareness and help the public make more informed decisions and try to avoid microplastics.

“We need to really look at what the potential long-term effect,” Yu said. “Are microplastics one of the factors contributing to this decline?”