Are there microplastics in human testicles?

Are There Microplastics in Human Testicles

⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, diet, or supplement use, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take medications. The information presented here should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Yes, peer-reviewed studies have found microplastics in human testicles.  Scientists have even documented the type of microplastics and linked them to reproductive and hormonal harm. This article breaks down what’s been found in human testicles, how microplastics get there, and what they do once they arrive.

Scientists Have Found Microplastics in Human Testicles

Multiple studies have directly identified microplastics in both human and animal testes [1–5]. In one investigation, polyethylene (PE), commonly used in grocery bags and bottles, was the most abundant polymer found, with average concentrations of 328.44 μg/g in humans which, interestingly, was higher than in canine testicles [2]. Other prevalent polymers include polystyrene (PS), found in styrofoam packaging, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) [2, 5, 6].

Microplastics have also been found in human semen, suggesting that their route into the reproductive system includes the epididymis and seminal vesicles, which are both vulnerable to inflammation and leaky barriers [2]. The presence of microplastics in the testicles suggest that they can cross the blood-testis barrier (BTB). The BTB is a protective membrane that was previously thought to block most foreign particles; however, we now know that microplastics can cross this membrane [2, 7, 9].

How Do Microplastics Get Into Testicles

Microplastics enter the body through ingestion via food and water, inhalation from the air, and sometimes through skin contact [2, 7]. Once inside our bodies, most pass through the digestive system, but some pass through the intestinal walls and circulate via the bloodstream. From the blood, they can accumulate in tissues like the liver, placenta, brain, and the testes [8]. Studies confirm that microplastics in the 20 nm to 10 μm size range, or the size of small viruses, bacteria, and red blood cells, are capable of disrupting the BTB and embedding in reproductive tissue [2].

What Microplastics Do Inside the Testes

The effects of microplastic accumulation in the testicles are increasingly well-characterized. Microplastics have been shown to decrease testosterone levels via endocrine disruption and interfere with luteinizing hormone signaling pathways [2, 10, 13–16]. They’ve also been shown to impair spermatogenesis, including reduced sperm count, concentration, and motility [2,5,11].  Microplastics can also cause histological damage to the structure of the testicles, including spermatogenic epithelium exfoliation and interstitial tissue disruption [5, 11]. Finally, microplastics can induce inflammation and oxidative stress, which drive further testicular aging and cellular dysfunction [2, 10, 17–18]. 

Animal studies corroborate these outcomes and suggest that chronic exposure may accelerate testicular aging and reduce reproductive lifespan [3]. In vitro experiments show that low concentrations of PS and PE microplastics damage Sertoli cells, interfere with the BTB, and cause inflammation [2]. 

Microplastics can also carry endocrine disrupting chemicals and heavy metals, which also have reproductive impacts [2].

Microplastic Concentration, Size, and Toxic Load

Studies show that the size and concentration of microplastic particles matter. Smaller particles, those below 10 μm, appear more likely to cross the BTB and impact cells [2, 12]. Studies have shown that the concentration of microplastics in the testicles is higher than in semen, suggesting that they remain in the testicles and accumulate over time [5]. Horrifying. The presence of multiple plastic types also seems to correlate with more significant drops in sperm parameters [2].

And Where They Go From There

Scientific studies show that microplastics lower sperm quality, reduce testosterone levels, and accumulate in reproductive tissues. Therefore, for individuals looking to enhance their testosterone and reproductive health, it’s imperative to develop a lifestyle strategy that lowers microplastic intake. 

While it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to avoid microplastics, there are many small, simple actions that you can take each day to lower the amount of microplastics you consume. This is why we developed the Deplasto platform. 

Our platform, consisting of a wellness supplement, a microplastic intake app, and lifestyle recommendations is intended to help you avoid microplastics. Our supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification defenses, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our daily microplastic intake calculator is designed to show you an estimate of your daily exposure, with every datapoint backed by scientific studies, to help you understand how you can best avoid microplastics. Lastly, given that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid microplastic exposure, we have a plethora of lifestyle recommendations designed to help you make small changes for big impacts. 

Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference in your health and the environment.

Sources: 

1. Adverse health effects of exposure to plastic, microplastics and their additives- environmental, legal and policy implications for Israel
2. Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction- a multi-site study in China
3. Detection of microplastics in human tissues and organs- A scoping review
4. Hydrophobins from Aspergillus mediate fungal interactions with microplastics
5. Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on the Reproductive System, Intestinal Structure, and Microflora in Male and Female Mice
6. Internal and external microplastic exposure in young adults- A pilot study involving 26 college students in Changsha, China
7. Combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and lipopolysaccharide on testosterone biosynthesis and inflammation in mouse testis
8. Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways- A review with computational benefits and challenges
9. Gut microbiota combined with metabolome dissects long-term nanoplastics exposure-induced disturbed spermatogenesis
10. Can Mammalian Reproductive Health Withstand Massive Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Derivatives_ A Systematic Review
11. A review of the neurobehavioural, physiological, and reproductive toxicity of microplastics in fishes
12. Examining the Relationship Between Polystyrene Microplastics and Male Fertility- Insights From an In Vivo Study and In Vitro Sertoli Cell Culture
13. A systematic review of microplastics emissions in kitchens- Understanding the links with diseases in daily life
14. Detrimental consequences of micropolymers associated plasticizers on endocrinal disruption
15. Microplastics exposure- implications for human fertility, pregnancy and child health
16. Microplastics in maternal blood, fetal appendages, and umbilical vein blood
17. Effects of the adsorption behavior of polyamide microplastics on male reproductive health by reduction of testosterone bioavailability
18. Health Implications of Widespread Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure- Environmental Prevalence, Mechanisms, and Biological Impact on Humans
19. Exposure to nanoplastics induces mitochondrial impairment and cytomembrane destruction in Leydig cells