International Journal of

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Background: The extensive use of different nanoparticles has raised great concerns about their occupational and biological safety.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on viability of spermatozoa.
Materials and Methods: Semen samples were obtained from 15 healthy persons, and were analyzed using WHO guidelines. Each semen sample was separately incubated with different concentrations of ZnO NPs (10, 100, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) at 37PoPC for 45, 90, and 180 minutes. Then, the cell death percentage of spermatozoa was measured by MTT assay. Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of different times and concentrations.
Results: The maximum cell death percentage was 20.8%, 21.2%, and 33.2% after 45, 90, and 180 minutes, respectively. In case of concentration, the highest concentration (1000 μg/mL) of ZnO NPs led to the highest toxicity for all incubation times. Statistically, there were significant differences in cell viability after 180 minutes vs. 45 and 90 minutes.
Conclusion: This study indicated that cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs is dose and time dependent.

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Background: In spermatogenesis, spermatogonial cells differentiate to the haploid gametes. It has been shown that spermatogenesis can be done at in vitro condition. In vitro spermatogenesis may provide an open window to treat male infertility.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel scaffold containing human serum albumin (HSA)/tri calcium phosphate nanoparticles (TCP NPs) on the mouse spermatogonial cell line (SCL).
Materials and Methods: First, TCP NPs were synthesized by reaction of calcium nitrate and diammonium phosphate at pH 13. Then, serial concentrations of TCP NPs were separately added to 500 mg/mL HSA, and incubated in the 100oC water for 30 min. In the next step, each scaffold was cut (2×2mm), placed into sterile well of microplate, and then incubated for 1, 2, and 3 days at 37oC with mouse SCL. After incubation, the cytotoxicity of the scaffolds was evaluated by different tests including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, vital staining, and cell counting. On the other hand, the release of TCP NPs and HSA from the scaffolds was measured.
Results: Based on microscopic observation, the size of cavities for all scaffolds was near 200-500 μm, and the size of TCP NPs was near 50-100 nm. All toxicity tests showed that the increase of TCP concentration in the scaffold did not affect mouse SCL. It means that the percentage of cell viability, LDH release, vital cells, and cell quantity was 85%, 105%, 90%, and 110%, respectively. But, the increase of incubation time led to increase of LDH release (up to 115%) and cell count (up to 115%). Also, little decrease of cell viability and vital cells was seen when incubation time was increased. Here, no release of TCP NPs and HSA was seen after increase of TCP concentration and incubation time.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the increase of TCP concentration in HSA/ TCP NPs scaffold does not lead to cytotoxicity. On the other hand, the increase of incubation time leads to increase of mouse SCL cell death. In this study, it was found that TCP NPs and HSA could not release from the scaffolds. In future, both proliferation and differentiation of mouse SCL on HSA/TCP NPs scaffold must be checked over more wide incubation times.

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Background: Malathion is an organophosphorus pesticide that commonly used in many agricultural and non-agricultural processes. Previous studies have reported the effects of melatonin on the reproductive system. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) due to their antioxidative properties are promising to impact on the development of male infertility.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CeNPs on oxidative stress and sperm parameters after malathion exposure of male rats.
Materials and Methods: 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n=6/each): Control, CeNPs -treated control (15 and 30 mg/kg/day), malathion (100 mg/ kg/day), and CeNPs -treated malathion groups (15 and 30 mg/ kg/day). At the end of the study (4 wk), the sperm counts, motility, and viability in the testis of rats were measured, also lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, and total thiol groups in homogenate testis were investigated.
Results: Malathion significantly reduced sperm count, viability, and motility than the control rats (p<0.001). Co-treatment of malathion with CeNPs 30 mg/kg had a protective effect on sperm counts (p=0.03), motility (p=0.01), and viability (p<0.001) compare to malathion group. Also, the results showed that malathion reduced testis total anti-oxidant capacity, the total thiol group, and increased testis malondialdehyde than the control rats (p<0.001). CeNPs 30 mg/kg are increased total antioxidant capacity (p<0.001) and total thiol group (p=0.03) compared to malathion group. CeNPs at both doses (15 and 30 mg/kg) improved malondialdehyde than the malathion group (p<0.001 and p=0.01 respectively).
Conclusion: CeNPs 30 mg/kg administered considerably restored testicular changes induced by malathion. The improvement of oxidative stress by CeNPs may be associated with increased sperm counts, motility and viability in the testis.

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Background: Zinc performs many biochemical and physiological functions; however, toxicological studies demonstrate that Nano-zinc oxide has harmful effects on human health and environmental species in high concentrations.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles on reproductive tissues of female rat.
Materials and Methods: Eighty female Wistar adult rats weighing 180–200 gr, divided into eight groups (n= 10 in each group) including control, sham (treated with saline), and six groups injected with different doses of zinc oxide nanoparticle with 10–30 nanometer size (4, 8, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) twice a week for four weeks. At the end of the study, the rats were bled and slaughtered; the Ovary and Uterus were taken for histopathology studies and blood samples were transferred to the laboratory for biochemical analysis.
Results: Microscopic diagnoses in ovary tissue were included; increase in the corpus luteum, follicular cysts, inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis. Histopathological  changes in ovary in a dose-dependent manner. In uterus tissue the lesions consisted; epithelial destruction, hyperplasia of endometrial glands. The Estrogen and Progesterone level in the serum of rats increased in low doses and reduced in a dosedependent manner at high doses.
Conclusion: The results of the current study proved the toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the ovary and uterus organs at high concentrations, so further investigation is needed to reduce these effects.

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Background: Zirconium nanoparticles are used as health agents, pharmaceutical carriers, and in dental and orthopedic implants.
Objective: This studyaimed to investigate the effects of Zirconium oxide nanoparticles on the process of spermatogenesis in rat.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats (150-200 gr), with range of age 2.5 to 3 months were used and divided into four groups of eight per each. The control group received 0.5 ml of distilled water and the three experimental groups received 50, 200, and 400 ppm doses of Zirconium oxide nanoparticles solution over a 30-day period, respectively. At the end of the experiment, tissue sections were taken from the testis and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Serum concentration of testosterone was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: In the experimental group receiving 400 ppm Zirconium oxide nanoparticles, the number of Spermatogonia cells (p ≤ 0.01), Spermatocytes (p ≤ 0.01), Spermatids (p ≤ 0.001), and sertoli and Leydig cells (p ≤ 0.05) showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. Serum testosterone concentration did not change significantly in all experimental groups receiving Zirconium oxide nanoparticles compared to the control group. Experimental group received 400 ppm Zirconium oxide nanoparticles shrinkage of seminal tubules and reduced lumen space compared to control group.
Conclusion: Zirconium oxide nanoparticles are likely to damage the testes by increasing Reactive oxygen species production and free radicals.
 

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