Microplastics found in human ovary follicular fluid for the first time

theguardian.comPublished: 4/19/2025

Summary

Microplastics, the tiny bits of plastic we encounter daily, have been found in women’s reproductive fluids for the first time, raising alarms about their impact on fertility. A study reveals that 14 out of 18 women undergoing fertility treatments tested positive for microplastics in their egg-bearing fluids, signaling potential hormonal disruptions and reduced fertility. This discovery underscores how these everyday pollutants could have far-reaching implications beyond our diet, prompting a call for further research to determine safe exposure levels and suggest eco-friendly habits like consuming organic foods or reducing plastic use.

Additional Summaries

Microplastics have been found for the first time in human ovary follicular fluid, raising a new round of questions about the ubiquitous and toxic substances’ potential impact on women’s fertility. Contaminating that process with bits of plastic quite likely has implications for fertility, hormonal balance and overall reproductive health, the authors wrote. Microplastics are particularly dangerous because they can contain any number of 16,000 plastic chemicals. The paper notes a “possible presence of correlation between the concentration of microplastics” and reproductive health in the women who participated in the new study. Pesticides can contain microplastics, or in some cases are a form of microplastics, so eating organic may help.

Microplastics have been found for the first time in human ovary follicular fluid, raising a new round of questions about the ubiquitous and toxic substances’ potential impact on women’s fertility. Contaminating that process with bits of plastic quite likely has implications for fertility, hormonal balance and overall reproductive health, the authors wrote. Microplastics are particularly dangerous because they can contain any number of 16,000 plastic chemicals. The paper notes a “possible presence of correlation between the concentration of microplastics” and reproductive health in the women who participated in the new study. Pesticides can contain microplastics, or in some cases are a form of microplastics, so eating organic may help.

Microplastics have been found for the first time in human ovary follicular fluid, raising a new round of questions about the ubiquitous and toxic substances’ potential impact on women’s fertility. Contaminating that process with bits of plastic quite likely has implications for fertility, hormonal balance and overall reproductive health, the authors wrote. Microplastics are particularly dangerous because they can contain any number of 16,000 plastic chemicals. The paper notes a “possible presence of correlation between the concentration of microplastics” and reproductive health in the women who participated in the new study. Pesticides can contain microplastics, or in some cases are a form of microplastics, so eating organic may help.