Microplastics found in ovarian follicles could affect women's fertility
A new study has found microplastics in the ovarian follicle fluid for the first time, potentially affecting women’s health and fertility.
A new study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety examined the ovarian follicle fluid of an 18-year-old woman who was undergoing assisted reproductive therapy at a fertility clinic in Salerno, Italy. The same microplastics were found in 14 other women.
The presence of microplastics in ovarian follicles could affect fertility, hormone balance and overall reproductive health, but it is still unclear how much of an impact this will have on fertility.
However, the recent body scans show that microplastics are not only infiltrating the environment, but also in the human body through food and contact.
This is a significant finding, said Xiaozhong Yu, a microplastics researcher at the University of New Mexico. It is well known that microplastics disrupt hormones and pose a risk to women’s reproductive health, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
References
Related posts:
