Mary Wilson
Well-known member
Science of The Total Environment
Volume 937, 10 August 2024, 173522
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.1735
Ning Li [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]c[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Huijun Yang [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Yunling Dong [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Bin Wei [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Liyang Liang [SUP]d[/SUP], Xiang Yun [SUP]c[/SUP], Jiaqi Tian [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP], Yongfei Zheng [SUP]e[/SUP], Shuyin Duan [SUP]e[/SUP], Lin Zhang [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP]
Highlights
- An early study to detect microplastics in semen from a general population cohort
- Eight MP polymer types were identified, with PS, PE, and PVC most prevalent.
- Raman microspectroscopy enabled sub-micron microplastic characterization.
- PS and PVC correlated with differential effects on sperm motility.
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been detected in human semen from polluted areas, yet their prevalence and effects in the general population remain largely unexplored. To examine microplastic presence, abundance, polymer types, and associations with semen quality parameters in individuals without occupational exposures, this study was conducted by collecting semen samples from 40 participants undergoing premarital health assessments in Jinan, China. Raman microspectroscopy was employed to identify, quantify, and categorize microplastic polymers, sperm motility was assessed via computer-assisted analysis, and morphology was evaluated through Diff-Quik staining. Correlations between demographics, semen parameters, and microplastic content were examined by statistical analysis. We found that microplastics were detected in all semen samples, with 2 particles per sample (ranging from 0.72 to 7.02 μm). Eight distinct polymers were identified, with polystyrene (31 %) being most prevalent. Semen exposed to polystyrene demonstrated higher sperm progressive motility as compared to polyvinyl chloride exposure group (43.52 ± 14.21 % vs 19.04 ± 13.46 %). Sperm morphological abnormalities were observed but not significantly associated with specific plastic types. In conclusion, this study reveals microplastic contamination in semen from individuals without occupational exposure, with PS, PE, and PVC being the most prevalent and exhibiting differential correlations with sperm progressive motility, and highlight the need for further research into the potential reproductive impacts of microplastic exposure.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724036696?via=ihub
Volume 937, 10 August 2024, 173522
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.1735
Ning Li [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]c[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Huijun Yang [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Yunling Dong [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Bin Wei [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP] [SUP]1[/SUP], Liyang Liang [SUP]d[/SUP], Xiang Yun [SUP]c[/SUP], Jiaqi Tian [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP], Yongfei Zheng [SUP]e[/SUP], Shuyin Duan [SUP]e[/SUP], Lin Zhang [SUP]a[/SUP] [SUP]b[/SUP]
Highlights
- An early study to detect microplastics in semen from a general population cohort
- Eight MP polymer types were identified, with PS, PE, and PVC most prevalent.
- Raman microspectroscopy enabled sub-micron microplastic characterization.
- PS and PVC correlated with differential effects on sperm motility.
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been detected in human semen from polluted areas, yet their prevalence and effects in the general population remain largely unexplored. To examine microplastic presence, abundance, polymer types, and associations with semen quality parameters in individuals without occupational exposures, this study was conducted by collecting semen samples from 40 participants undergoing premarital health assessments in Jinan, China. Raman microspectroscopy was employed to identify, quantify, and categorize microplastic polymers, sperm motility was assessed via computer-assisted analysis, and morphology was evaluated through Diff-Quik staining. Correlations between demographics, semen parameters, and microplastic content were examined by statistical analysis. We found that microplastics were detected in all semen samples, with 2 particles per sample (ranging from 0.72 to 7.02 μm). Eight distinct polymers were identified, with polystyrene (31 %) being most prevalent. Semen exposed to polystyrene demonstrated higher sperm progressive motility as compared to polyvinyl chloride exposure group (43.52 ± 14.21 % vs 19.04 ± 13.46 %). Sperm morphological abnormalities were observed but not significantly associated with specific plastic types. In conclusion, this study reveals microplastic contamination in semen from individuals without occupational exposure, with PS, PE, and PVC being the most prevalent and exhibiting differential correlations with sperm progressive motility, and highlight the need for further research into the potential reproductive impacts of microplastic exposure.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724036696?via=ihub