title: Long-term effects of silver nanoparticles on reproductive activity of rabbit buck.
abstract: Using the rabbit as an animal model, this study evaluated the long-term effect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) administered intravenously (0.6 mg/kg bw) on reproductive activity and sperm quality. Semen analysis was performed by optical microscopy and sperm motility evaluation by computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Mitochondria oxygen consumption, light and transmission electron microscopy of rabbit testis and ejaculated sperm were also carried out. Throughout the experiment NP-treated rabbits showed higher seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), less motile sperm, and lower curvilinear velocity and oxygen consumption than control animals. In contrast, libido, serum testosterone, sperm concentration, and semen volume were hardly affected by NPs. Transmission electron microscopy analysis did not show any evident morphological damage in testes; however, Ag NPs are visible in spermatids and ejaculated sperm. These preliminary results show that Ag NPs can reach the testes, compromising sperm motility, sperm speed, and acrosome and mitochondria shape and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology, Section of Animal Science, University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy .
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castellini
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruggeri
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macchioni
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Collodel
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000818:Animals; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012834:Silver; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Blood-testis barrier; motility rate; nanosilver; sperm; testis