Microplastics have already caused considerable panic among people. Scientists have found microplastics in human blood, placenta and even breast milk. Now, a recent study conducted in Jinan, China, has found microplastics in… yeah, human semen as well. What is shocking to learn is that all the semen samples in the study had microplastics and not just a certain percentage of samples. This is a serious cause for concern as it may affect reproducibility too!
Scientists In China Find Microplastics In Human Semen
According to an article which was recently published by The Guardian, this study was conducted on men undergoing pre-marital health checkups. The study consisted of a total of 40 men. Much to the surprise of everyone involved, all 40 samples of semen contained microplastics.
This Chinese study is not the first one to get such findings. A little while ago, another study from the same country found microplastics in the semen of half of the 25 samples received from participants. Even a study in Italy had a similar result.
Ten people participated in the study in Italy and the sperm samples of six of them contained microplastics. This worrying trend has a lot of implications for the future of reproduction and fertility in men and none of them are good.
What This Means For Reproducibility And Fertility For Men
If reports are to go by, sperm count in men has been dropping since the last few decades. The cause for 40 per cent of the population with this problem is unknown. The Chinese scientists who conducted the study in question have emphasised the need for further research on the matter.
One of the biggest reasons for microplastics in humans is the abundance of plastic waste in the environment. Humans are breathing it in and consuming it in their food and so the particles have subsequently found a place inside the human body.
Though the full extent of harm done by microplastics is not known yet, we do know that they cause damage to human cells.
Also Read: Plastic In Your Blood! Researchers Have Found Microplastics In Human Veins
What measures do you take to at least reduce microplastics in your system? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Images
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