First evidence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid: An emerging threat to female fertility.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional case series analyzing biological samples from a single small patient cohort.
PubMed 39947063 · doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117868
What was done
Follicular fluid was collected from 18 women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at an IVF center in Salerno, Italy. Plastic particles measuring <10 µm were quantified and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with an Energy Dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDX). Correlations between microplastic concentration and demographic, hormonal (FSH, AMH, 17β-estradiol), and clinical reproductive outcomes were analyzed.
What was found
Microplastics (<10 µm) were detected in 14 of 18 samples (77.8%), with a mean concentration of 2,191 particles/mL (range: 0–7,181 particles/mL) and a mean particle diameter of 4.48 µm (range: 3.18–5.54 µm). Particle concentration had a statistically significant correlation with FSH levels (p < 0.05). Weak, non-significant correlations were observed with BMI, age, and 17β-estradiol. No correlation was found with AMH, fertilization outcomes, miscarriages, or live births.
Why it matters
This is the first study to report the presence of microplastics in human ovarian follicular fluid, indicating that environmental microplastic contaminants can enter the human oocyte microenvironment.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 18) and drawn from a single fertility clinic. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, and no association was demonstrated between particle presence and clinical fertility or pregnancy outcomes. Background contamination prevention measures during fluid retrieval were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Microplastics can accumulate inside the ovary.