title: Effects of prepubertal exposure to silver nanoparticles on reproductive parameters in adult male Wistar rats.
abstract: The incidence of male reproductive pathologies, such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism, testicular cancer, and low sperm production in adulthood, is increasing and may be related to exposure to environmental contaminants. The silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are a new class of chemical compounds commonly used in both medical and nonmedical settings, and they affect development of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine the adverse productive toxic effects of AgNPs in male Wistar rats exposed during the prepubertal period and sacrificed at postnatal day (PND) 53 and PND90. Growth was assessed by daily weighing. The progress of puberty in the rats was measured by preputial separation, while spermatogenesis was assayed by (1) measuring the sperm count in testes and epididymis and (2) examining the morphology and morphometry of seminiferous epithelium using stereological analysis. In addition, testosterone and estradiol levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay. The weight of the animals at PND90 did not change markedly, but growth was less in the group treated with AgNP at 50 μg/kg from PND34 to PND53. AgNP exposure produced a delay in puberty in both treated groups. Decreased sperm reserves in the epididymis and diminished sperm transit time were observed at PND53, while a reduction in sperm production occurred at PND90. The morphology of the seminiferous epithelium was markedly altered. Data demonstrated that prepubertal exposure to AgNP altered reproductive development in prepubertal male Wistar rats, as evidenced by impairment in spermatogenesis and a lower sperm count in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy , State University of Centro-Oeste , Parana , Brazil.
authors.forename: Hanan Khaled
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Sleiman
authors.forename: Renata Marino
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Claudio Alvarenga de
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Marco Aurelio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol