Microplastics Found in Human Ovaries, Raising Fertility Concerns: Study Reveals
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A new study has found microplastics have been detected for the first time in human ovary follicular fluid, raising serious concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on women’s reproductive health. The peer-reviewed study, published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, examined 18 women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at a fertility clinic in Salerno, Italy. Microplastics were found in the follicular fluid of 14 of them.
Follicular fluid plays a vital role in egg development, providing key nutrients and biochemical signals. Contamination with microplastics in this delicate environment could affect fertility, hormonal balance, and overall reproductive function.
Microplastics—tiny plastic particles formed by the degradation of larger plastics—are already known to pollute environments across the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. They have been found in food, water, and even inside the human body, including the bloodstream, lungs, and placenta. These particles often carry harmful chemicals such as bisphenol, phthalates, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, neurotoxicity, and developmental issues.
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