Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 1;18(5):2392. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052392.
Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. Once at sea, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic waste into small particles: the microplastics (MPs). Currently, particular attention has been drawn to their effects on aquatic environments but the health risks, especially in mammals, are poorly known. These non-biodegradable materials can act as a vector for environmental pollutants, can be ingested by humans in food and water, and can enter and accumulate in human tissues with a possible risk for heath. Recent studies revealed the deleterious effects of MPs exposure in male reproduction and sperm quality, making them a potential hazard to reproductive success. This manuscript summarizes the main changes in sperm quality along the lifespan and the upcoming studies on the effects of MPs in male fertility in mammals.
地球上有大量的废弃塑料在漂浮，这正在危害动物甚至人类的健康。一旦进入海洋，阳光、风和波浪会将塑料垃圾分解成小颗粒：即微塑料（MPs）。目前，人们特别关注它们对水生环境的影响，但对哺乳动物的健康风险知之甚少。这些不可生物降解的材料可以作为环境污染物的载体，可能会通过食物和水被人类摄入，并进入和积累在人体组织中，对健康造成潜在风险。最近的研究表明，MPs 暴露对男性生殖和精子质量有有害影响，这使它们成为生殖成功的潜在危害。本文总结了精子质量随生命周期的主要变化，以及关于 MPs 对哺乳动物男性生育力影响的即将开展的研究。
