ABQ Times

In November 2022, District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn sponsored Council resolution R-22-73 to prevent live animals from being used in scientific research. A year and a half later, the University of New Mexico (UNM) has released a study utilizing animal tissues provided by the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.

The UNM College of Nursing Research Department published an article titled “Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis.” Conducted by Dr. Xiaozhong Yu, the study was published in May by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. The abstract states that the research aimed “to quantify and characterize the prevalence and composition of microplastics within both canine and human testes and investigate potential associations with sperm count, and weights of testis and epididymis.”

“The study concluded that the presence of microplastics in the testes of male dogs and male humans is pervasive,” said Councilor Fiebelkorn. “The tissues collected as a result of our resolution provided Dr. Yu and the researchers at UNM Nursing with the live tissue samples they needed for their research. All without subjecting dogs and other animals to unnecessary live testing methods too often used to collect samples for scientific research.”

According to the study results, microplastic presence in male reproductive tissues indicated levels that could affect fertility in both humans and dogs.

“Our findings point the way for additional research to understand how microplastics might affect sperm production in the testes,” said Dr. Yu. “We have a lot of unknowns. We need to really look at the potential long-term effect. Are microplastics one of the factors contributing to this decline?”

Public interest has been significant, with over 350 news outlets reporting on the research results, including NPR, CNN, and the LA Times. In his journal article, Dr. Yu thanked City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, CABQ Animal Welfare Department, Dr. Erin Clarke and team, Sandia Animal Clinic, and Kokopelli Animal Clinic.

“Animal Welfare staff at our spay-and-neuter clinics are glad to be partners at reducing unnecessary animal testing,” said Carolyn Ortega, Director of Animal Welfare Department. “We hope that fertility research at UNM is just the beginning. We look forward to ways AWD can assist in future scientific research projects.”

The resolution passed by City Council created a tissue donation agreement between The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s Spay-and-Neuter Program and UNM Science Center College of Nursing for biomedical research purposes. The measure utilized reproductive tissues that otherwise would have been destroyed.