Khaberni - A new scientific study raises widespread concern after revealing a complex biological mechanism that explains how microplastic particles harm male fertility and directly affect sperm quality and its vital functions.
Researchers explained that microplastic particles, especially those derived from plastic tableware, contribute to the global decline in male fertility, at a time when statistics indicate an annual decrease in sperm counts ranging between 1% and 2.6%.
This factor is added to other influences such as obesity, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle, but the new study sheds light on environmental pollutants as an escalating risk to reproductive health.
The research team relied on analyzing samples from 200 men of reproductive age, with a detailed study of their habits of using plastic utensils.
The results showed the presence of microplastic particles in 55.5% of semen samples, and it was found that this percentage was higher among those who use plastic utensils daily.
To understand how these particles affect cells, scientists conducted experiments on mice using ultrafine polystyrene particles with a diameter of 50 nanometers. The results showed a 33% decrease in sperm concentration, a 21% decline in their total motility, along with a clear increase in cell deformities.
At the molecular level, the study revealed a series of complex cellular reactions beginning when plastic particles infiltrate the cells, where FOXA1 proteins receive danger signals, activating MAP3K1 proteins that act as a control center, which in turn relay the alert to protein p38, which resembles a "cellular alarm system". This protein triggers emergency signals through p-c-fos, leading to cell behavior disruption.
These erroneous signals force the cells to make two destructive decisions: the first is to enter a process of "autophagy" by digesting its essential components, and the second is "programmed death", self-destruction. This dual mechanism explains the sharp decline in sperm numbers, impaired movement, and increased deformation rates, turning their production process from a precise system into a chaotic operation filled with malfunctions.
The researchers emphasized that the findings represent a new alarm regarding reproductive risks due to daily exposure to plastic, especially in tools used for eating or storing food. They called for the adoption of health policies that reduce the use of plastic materials and encourage safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, alongside continuing research to understand the long-term effects of these particles on reproductive health.
