Wang Enyin, Huang Yan, Du Qingyun, Sun Yingpu
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Andrologia. 2021 Feb;53(1):e13841. doi: 10.1111/and.13841. Epub 2020 Nov 9.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have become one of the most common nanomaterials in various commercial products; however, its potential toxicity to the male reproductive system and the possible mechanisms remains unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the toxicity of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) in the testis and to elucidate its possible mechanisms. We exposed 6-week-old Balb/c male mice to AgNP daily [0 (control), 30 or 125 mg/kg BW] for 90 days. The histological structure, sperm production and levels of reproductive hormones were assessed; we also observed apoptotic cell nuclei and the ultrastructural characteristics of the testis. Microarray analyses were used to identify differentially expressed genes, and dysregulated apoptosis-related genes and protein were also analysed. Our results indicated that 125 mg/kg AgNP changed testis morphology and decreased sperm production. AgNP treatment also increased apoptosis of germ cells and induced the presence of swollen or dissolved mitochondria in the testis. Microarray analysis showed the expression of 383 genes was altered by AgNP treatment, with apoptosis-related genes showing the greatest changes. Furthermore, we verified dysregulated apoptosis-related genes and proteins (caspase3 and Myc). These results demonstrated that AgNP induced changes of testis morphology, sperm production and apoptosis-related genes, suggested this process maybe associated with apoptosis.
银纳米颗粒（AgNPs）已成为各种商业产品中最常见的纳米材料之一；然而，其对雄性生殖系统的潜在毒性及可能机制仍不清楚。我们的研究旨在探究银纳米颗粒（AgNPs）对睾丸的毒性并阐明其可能机制。我们将6周龄的Balb/c雄性小鼠每天暴露于AgNP [0（对照）、30或125 mg/kg体重] 90天。评估了组织学结构、精子生成及生殖激素水平；我们还观察了凋亡细胞核及睾丸的超微结构特征。利用基因芯片分析鉴定差异表达基因，并分析凋亡相关基因和蛋白质的失调情况。我们的结果表明，125 mg/kg的AgNP改变了睾丸形态并降低了精子生成。AgNP处理还增加了生殖细胞凋亡，并诱导睾丸中出现肿胀或溶解的线粒体。基因芯片分析显示，AgNP处理改变了383个基因的表达，其中凋亡相关基因变化最大。此外，我们验证了凋亡相关基因和蛋白质（caspase3和Myc）的失调。这些结果表明，AgNP诱导了睾丸形态、精子生成及凋亡相关基因的变化，提示该过程可能与凋亡有关。
