title: Repeated exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles causes testicular toxicity in mice.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) could be toxic to mice testis. Fe2O3-NPs (25 and 50 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered into mice once a week for 4 weeks. Our study showed that Fe2O3-NPs have the ability to cross the blood-testis barrier to get into the testis. The findings showed that exposure resulted in the accumulation of Fe2O3-NPs which was evidenced from the iron content and accumulation in the testis. Furthermore, 25 and 50 mg/kg Fe2O3-NPs administration increased the reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, glutathione peroxidase activity, and nitric oxide levels with a concomitant decrease in the levels of antioxidants-superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and vitamin C. Increased expression of Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP confirms apoptosis. Serum testosterone levels increased with increased concentration of Fe2O3-NPs exposure. In addition, the histopathological lesions like vacuolization, detachment, and sloughing of germ cells were also observed in response to Fe2O3-NPs treatment. The data from our study entailed that testicular toxicity caused by Fe2O3-NPs exposure may be associated with Fe2O3-NPs accumulation leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, precautions should be taken in the safe use of Fe2O3-NPs to avoid complications in the fertility of males. Further research will unravel the possible molecular mechanisms on testicular toxicity of Fe2O3-NPs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 594-608, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Kiruthika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundarraj
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Vijayprakash
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manickam
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Azhwar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raghunath
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Madhivadhani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Periyasamy
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Mangala Priya
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Viswanathan
authors.affiliation: Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Ekambaram
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perumal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C000499:ferric oxide; D013739:Testosterone; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Fe2O3-NPs; apoptosis; male infertility; oxidative stress; testicular toxicity