Abstract：
Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been detected in human semen from polluted areas, yet their prevalence and effects in the general population remain largely unexplored. To examine microplastic presence, abundance, polymer types, and associations with semen quality parameters in individuals without occupational exposures, this study was conducted by collecting semen samples from 40 participants undergoing premarital health assessments in Jinan, China. Raman microspectroscopy was employed to identify, quantify, and categorize microplastic polymers, sperm motility was assessed via computer-assisted analysis, and morphology was evaluated through Diff-Quik staining. Correlations between demographics, semen parameters, and microplastic content were examined by statistical analysis. We found that microplastics were detected in all semen samples, with 2 particles per sample (ranging from 0.72 to 7.02 μm). Eight distinct polymers were identified, with polystyrene (31 %) being most prevalent. Semen exposed to polystyrene demonstrated higher sperm progressive motility as compared to polyvinyl chloride exposure group (43.52 ± 14.21 % vs 19.04 ± 13.46 %). Sperm morphological abnormalities were observed but not significantly associated with specific plastic types. In conclusion, this study reveals microplastic contamination in semen from individuals without occupational exposure, with PS, PE, and PVC being the most prevalent and exhibiting differential correlations with sperm progressive motility, and highlight the need for further research into the potential reproductive impacts of microplastic exposure.
摘要：
微塑料是普遍存在的环境污染物，已在受污染地区的人类精液中检测到，然而，它们在普通人群中的患病率和影响在很大程度上仍未被探索。为了检查微塑料的存在，丰度,聚合物类型，以及与没有职业暴露的个体的精液质量参数的关联，这项研究是通过收集济南接受婚前健康评估的40名参与者的精液样本进行的，中国。拉曼光谱被用来识别，量化、并对微塑料聚合物进行分类，精子活力通过计算机辅助分析进行评估，通过Diff-Quik染色评价形态学。人口统计学之间的相关性，精液参数,通过统计分析检查微塑性含量。我们发现在所有精液样本中都检测到微塑料，每个样品2个颗粒（范围从0.72到7.02μm）。确定了八种不同的聚合物，聚苯乙烯(31%)是最普遍的。与聚氯乙烯暴露组相比，暴露于聚苯乙烯的精液表现出更高的精子进行性运动性（43.52±14.21％vs19.04±13.46％）。观察到精子形态异常，但与特定的可塑性类型没有显着相关。总之,这项研究揭示了没有职业暴露的个体精液中的微塑料污染，PS,PE,PVC是最普遍的，与精子进行性运动性表现出不同的相关性，并强调需要进一步研究微塑料暴露对生殖的潜在影响。
