Microplastics Exposure Is Harmful to Male Reproductive Health

作者：Zubair Muhammad, Qiming Yang, Nan Liu · 发表于：IntechOpen eBooks · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.5772/intechopen.1012349 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals、Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

This chapter will delve into the burgeoning concern surrounding microplastics (MPs) exposure and its insidious impact on male reproductive health. MPs, ubiquitous environmental pollutants stemming from the degradation of plastic products, have permeated various ecosystems and consequently found their way into the human body through multiple exposure routes, such as ingestion via food and water, and inhalation of airborne MP particles. The scope of this chapter encompasses an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms through which MPs exert their deleterious effects. It will examine the potential for MPs to induce oxidative stress in male reproductive tissues, leading to damage of sperm cells and disruption of the blood-testis barrier. Furthermore, the endocrine-disrupting properties of MPs will be scrutinized, as these pollutants can interfere with the normal hormonal regulation of the male reproductive system, affecting testosterone production and spermatogenesis. In addition, the chapter will present epidemiological evidence linking MPs exposure to adverse reproductive outcomes in men, such as reduced sperm quality, including decreased sperm count, motility, and morphology, as well as an increased risk of male infertility. Animal studies that have provided crucial insights into the dose-response relationships and the potential for transgenerational effects of MPs on male reproductive health will also be discussed. By synthesizing the existing body of knowledge, this chapter ai...