title: Evaluating the role of silver nanoparticles on acrosomal reaction and spermatogenic cells in rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nanoparticles have wide range of application while there are some reports regarding their probable effects on male reproductive system and spermatozoa.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (70nm) on acrosome of rat spermatozoa and number of spermatogenic cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, in experimental group, 32 male wistar rats (8 rats/group) received oral feeding AgNPs every 12 hr in one spermatogenesis period (48 days) by means of gavages in 25, 50 , 100 and 200 mg/kg concentration (experimental groups 1-4, respectively). The control group (8 rats) was treated on schedule with distilled water. Spermatozoa were stained by triple staining protocol for acrosome reaction. Histological evaluation on testis sections was performed using tissue processing and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant difference between the control group and the experimental group 1 for acrosome reaction (11.00±0.00 and 24.25±3.68, respectively, p=0.01). There was only significant reduction in spermatogonia cells in experimental group 4. Experimental groups 2, 3 and 4 showed a significant reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes and spermatids as well as spermatozoa. But there were no significant differences between different groups for Sertoli cell number and seminiferous tubule diameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that Ag NPs have acute and significant effects on spermatogenesis and number of spermatogenic cells and also on acrosome reaction in sperm cells. More experimental investigations are necessary to elucidate better conclusion regarding the safety of nanoparticles on male reproduction system.
authors.affiliation: Yazd Academic Center of Education, Culture and Research Higher Education Institute, Yazd, Iran. ; Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayyed Mohsen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Miresmaeili
authors.affiliation: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Halvaei
authors.affiliation: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. ; Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fesahat
authors.affiliation: Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: Yazd Academic Center of Education, Culture and Research Higher Education Institute, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikonahad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohaddeseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taherinejad
keywords: Acrosome reaction; Nanoparticle; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa