Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 27, 2025 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
Medical News: Growing Fears Over Microplastics and Reproductive Health
Scientists from the Paul L Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso have uncovered alarming evidence showing how microplastics and nanoplastics are quietly damaging the male reproductive system. These plastic fragments, now found in food, water, air and even in human semen, have sparked serious concern among health experts. According to findings highlighted in this
Medical News report, these plastic particles can infiltrate delicate testicular tissues and disrupt the normal processes that allow men to produce healthy sperm.
New research shows that microscopic plastic particles may be silently damaging male reproductive health
How Microplastics Enter the Body and Cause Harm
Microplastics, which are plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are even smaller, are created when larger plastics break down. They are also intentionally added to items such as cosmetics and household products. Once inside the body, they can travel through the bloodstream and accumulate in organs. The researchers reviewed twenty-one recent peer reviewed studies and found that these particles frequently damage cells through oxidative stress, inflammation and by weakening the blood testis barrier, which normally protects developing sperm.
Damage to Germ Cells Leydig Cells and Sertoli Cells
The Texas Tech research team summarized clear patterns of harm across different cell types. Germ cells, responsible for developing sperm, showed DNA fragmentation, membrane damage and disrupted acrosome formation, all of which reduce fertility. In animal studies, sperm quality dropped sharply after exposure to tiny plastic particles. Leydig cells, which produce testosterone, also weakened due to mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced function of key hormone pathways. Sertoli cells, which provide essential support for sperm development, showed early aging, inflammation and breakdown of the tight junctions that maintain the testicular environment.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Add to the Threat
Many microplastics carry chemical additives known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol A and phthalates. These substances can mimic hormones or interfere with hormone production. The review found that microplastics act like sponges, absorbing these chemicals and delivering even higher concentrations into human tissues. Co exposure in laboratory models led to more severe DNA damage, altered reproductive hormone levels and long -lasting effects on testicular development.
Conclusion
Taken together, the study warns that continual exposure to small amounts of microplastics over many years may slowly undermine male fertility through multiple biological pathways. The researchers emphasize that although most evidence comes from animal and cell studies, the recent discovery of microplastics in human semen and testes makes this an urgent public health issue. More human centered research is needed to
understand long term risks, but the current data strongly suggest that microplastics pose a growing threat that societies must address before the situation worsens further.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/23/11457
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