• The impact of exposure to microplastics on ovarian function, sex hormones, and fertility in women
  • Armin Motevalli Jooybari,1 Azin Arafi,2 Hiva Danesh,3,*
    1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    3. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Microplastics (MPs) are synthetic particles ranging in size from 1 μm to 5 mm that have emerged as widespread environmental pollutants with potential health implications. These particles can enter the human body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption, with food, water, and air acting as the primary exposure pathways. Recent studies have detected MPs in various human biological samples—including feces, biofluids, and tissues—raising concerns about their systemic distribution and physiological effects. MPs have been associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, immune dysregulation, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. However, their specific impact on ovarian tissues remains underexplored. Notably, no studies have yet confirmed the presence of MPs in human ovarian follicular fluid, which plays a crucial role in follicle development and oocyte maturation. Experimental research suggests that MPs may disrupt female reproductive health by altering sex hormone levels, impairing fertility, and inducing oxidative stress. Animal studies, particularly those involving polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), have demonstrated adverse reproductive outcomes such as enlarged ovaries with reduced follicle counts, decreased embryo production, and lower pregnancy rates. These effects are often mediated by granulosa cell apoptosis and pyroptosis, involving pathways such as NLRP3/caspase activation and Wnt signaling disruption. Collectively, these findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive research into the effects of MPs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, hormonal regulation, and overall fertility, to better assess associated risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
  • Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus up to June 2025 using predefined keywords to identify studies addressing the impact of microplastic exposure on ovarian function, sex hormones, and fertility in women. Studies involving human subjects, animal models, and in vitro experiments were screened and selected based on relevance and scientific rigor. After screening, eligible studies were selected for comprehensive review.
  • Results: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), along with their associated endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), may pose significant threats to human reproductive and endocrine health. In females, exposure to MPs and NPs has been shown to alter ovarian and uterine structures, reduce ovarian reserve, and disrupt hormonal balance, primarily through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation. These plastic particles often carry EDCs such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which interfere with thyroid hormone regulation and metabolic processes. Such disruptions can promote obesity and insulin resistance via pathways including mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic modifications. Animal studies further reveal comparable effects, including compromised blood-testis barrier integrity in males and reduced follicle counts in females, accompanied by oxidative stress-induced tissue damage. Human biomonitoring research has detected MPs and NPs in various biological materials such as blood, placentas, and breast milk, with polymers like polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene frequently identified. Collectively, these findings highlight the urgent need for advanced molecular studies, biomonitoring strategies, and public health interventions to better understand and mitigate the long-term and transgenerational risks that plastic pollution poses to reproductive and endocrine functions.
  • Conclusion: Microplastic pollution poses a significant ecological threat, particularly impacting reproductive systems across species. Despite increasing evidence of reproductive toxicity, critical gaps remain, especially regarding human epidemiological data and behavioral effects of exposure. Addressing this issue demands coordinated international collaboration, including policy development, stricter regulations on microplastic-generating industries, and innovative remediation techniques. Biological approaches, such as bioremediation using specialized microbes, show promise for microplastic degradation. Additionally, biodegradable polymers offer potential alternatives, although challenges like production cost and efficiency persist. A comprehensive strategy combining global cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and technological advances is essential to mitigate the long-term ecological and reproductive health risks posed by microplastics.
  • Keywords: Microplastic, Reproductive Health, Ovarian function, Fertility, Sex hormones