Effects of silver nanoparticles on neonatal testis development in mice

Abstract

Background Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) play an important role in consumer products. An increasing use of MNPs has raised concerns about potential risks for human health. Therefore, in vivo tests of MNPs are urgently required. Using mice as a model animal, the aim of the present study was designed to investigate the effect of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on spermatogenesis in neonatal mice. Methods AgNPs were synthesized using Bacillus funiculus . The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using various analytical techniques such as UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared AgNPs were used to investigate testis development in neonatal mice. Institute of Cancer Research neonatal male mice were used in all experiments and were treated with different doses (0, 1, and 5 mg/kg) of AgNPs five times (interval of 3 days from postnatal day [PND] 8–21) by abdominal subcutaneous injection. Results The results showed that the sperm abnormalities such as quality and quantity were significantly increased by the synthesized AgNPs. The diameter of the convoluted tubules shrank significantly in mice treated with AgNPs on PND28 and PND42. The results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that the E1f1ay , Gsta4 , and Fdx1 genes were up-regulated, and the Amh , Cx43 , and Claudin-11 genes were down-regulated in response to AgNPs exposure on PND28; however, these genes recovered at PND60. AgNPs had no effect on the recombination levels of chromosomes in germ cells. Conclusion These results demonstrated the adverse effects of AgNPs on the male reproductive tract, particularly spermatogenesis and the quality of sperm. This study suggests that the development of nanomaterials should be safer and non-toxic to the living organisms and the potential reprotoxicity of AgNPs should be investigated more carefully.

The Toxicity Phenomenon and the Related Occurrence in Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: A Brief Review From the Biomedical Perspective

“…There are some limited in vivo studies about the Ag NPs toxicity, it was shown that these NPs induced some harmful impacts on reproduction, malformations, and various morphological destructions in different animal models ( Zhang X.F. et al, 2015 ).…”

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles perturb the blood-testis barrier via disruption of actin-based cell adhesive function

“…Furthermore, ENPs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and promote the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 α , TNF- α and NF- κ B [ 10 ], which may increase the risks of neurodegenerative disease and brain cancer. ENPs can also cross BTB and alter the spermatogenesis process by inducing apoptosis or necrosis of spermatocytes and Sertoli cells as well as reducing sperm motility, quality and quantity [ 11 – 13 ].…”

Sodium Selenite Protects Against Silver Nanoparticle-Induced Testicular Toxicity and Inflammation

“…Henceforth, the toxicity of AgNPs has been studied widely in many in vitro [4][5][6] and in vivo models [1,7,8]. Recent studies have demonstrated the adverse effects of AgNPs on the male reproductive tract, particularly spermatogenesis and the quality of sperm and male somatic cells and spermatogonial stem cells [9,10]. Early exposure to AgNPs has the potential to disrupt fetal and postnatal health in the embryo and abnormal development of the placenta [11].…”