Microplastics Detected in Human Ovarian Fluid for the First Time: A Rising Concern for Female Fertility, Study Shows
Italy: A recent study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety has revealed the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the ovarian follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This marks the first documented evidence of MPs infiltrating human ovarian environments, raising significant concerns about the long-term implications for female reproductive health.
The study examined follicular fluid samples from 18 women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. Luigi Montano, PhD, Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy, and colleagues used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) detection to identify and analyze microplastic particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.
According to the authors, while previous studies have documented the presence of MPs in various human tissues and fluids, including blood, placenta, and lungs, the study is the first to highlight their presence in the female reproductive system.
The study led to the following findings:
- Microplastics were detected in 14 out of the 18 follicular fluid samples analyzed.
- The average concentration of microplastics was 2,191 particles per milliliter.
- The mean size of the detected microplastic particles was approximately 4.48 micrometers.
- There was a statistically significant correlation between microplastic concentration and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels.
- There were weak correlations between microplastic levels and body mass index (BMI), age, and estradiol levels.
- There was no significant association between microplastic concentration and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), fertilization outcomes, miscarriage rates, or live birth rates.
The researchers propose that MPs might reach the ovaries through the bloodstream and accumulate in granulosa cells within the follicular fluid. While the immediate effects on fertility outcomes appear minimal, the presence of MPs in such a sensitive biological environment raises important questions about the potential for longer-term reproductive harm.
The researchers note that animal studies have previously demonstrated that microplastics can negatively impact ovarian function, prompting concerns that humans may face similar risks. The current findings serve as a wake-up call to the medical and scientific communities about the deeper biological penetration of these synthetic pollutants.
Although the sample size was small and no direct adverse reproductive outcomes were observed, the researchers emphasized the importance of continued investigation. This initial evidence underlines the need for broader studies to assess whether chronic exposure to microplastics might influence female fertility or hormonal balance over time.
"As environmental microplastic contamination continues to rise, this study provides critical groundwork for understanding how these pervasive particles may impact human health in previously unimagined ways," the researchers wrote, concluding that "further research will be essential to determine whether interventions or preventive strategies can help mitigate the potential reproductive risks associated with microplastic exposure."
Reference:
Montano, L., Raimondo, S., Piscopo, M., Ricciardi, M., Guglielmino, A., Chamayou, S., Gentile, R., Gentile, M., Rapisarda, P., Oliveri Conti, G., Ferrante, M., & Motta, O. (2025). First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: An emerging threat to female fertility. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 291, 117868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117868
