Maowa Zannatul, Rahman Md Sharifur, Hoque M Nazmul, Mahmud Md Abdullah Al, Alam Mohammad Shah
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Gazipur Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Health, Gazipur Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.
Reprod Fertil Dev. 2025 Apr;37. doi: 10.1071/RD24161.
Context The increasing use of nanoparticles (NPs) in various consumer, agricultural, and pharmaceutical applications has raised considerable concern about their potential risks to human health and the environment. Aims This study investigated the progressive toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in mouse testes after single and repeated exposure. Methods Prepubertal male mice were exposed to AgNPs by gavage at 50, 200, and 500mg/kg body weight. Testis, epididymis, and serum were collected and subjected to histopathological analysis. Key results Daily exposure to AgNPs for 7 and 15days (n =8) decreased sperm count, while increasing abnormal sperm count and testicular atrophy in a dose- and exposure-time-dependent manner. A single exposure to AgNPs at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight (n =8) resulted in testicular histopathological changes and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. The highest number of apoptotic cells was detected 24h after exposure, whereas testicular testosterone (TT) concentrations decreased at 12 and 24h. To explore whether AgNPs suppress TT concentrations by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, we analyzed serum LH concentrations; however, no significant changes in LH levels were found. Conclusion This study showed that AgNPs cause potential adverse effects on the testis, specifically, spermatogenic cell apoptosis, and impaired spermatogenesis in an exposure time- and dose-dependent manner. The testicular toxicity was not associated with suppression of the HPT axis, possibly involving other mechanisms. Implications These findings contribute to the broader discussion on NP safety and regulatory considerations, particularly regarding their reproductive toxicity.
背景 纳米颗粒（NPs）在各种消费、农业和制药应用中的使用日益增加，引发了人们对其对人类健康和环境潜在风险的极大关注。
目的 本研究调查了单次和重复暴露后银纳米颗粒（AgNPs）对小鼠睾丸的渐进性毒性作用。
方法 将青春期前雄性小鼠通过灌胃给予50、200和500mg/kg体重的AgNPs。收集睾丸、附睾和血清并进行组织病理学分析。
关键结果 每天暴露于AgNPs 7天和15天（n = 8）会降低精子数量，同时以剂量和暴露时间依赖性方式增加异常精子数量和睾丸萎缩。单次暴露于200mg/kg体重的AgNPs（n = 8）会导致睾丸组织病理学变化和生精细胞凋亡，且具有时间依赖性。暴露后24小时检测到的凋亡细胞数量最多，而睾丸睾酮（TT）浓度在12小时和24小时时降低。为了探讨AgNPs是否通过影响下丘脑-垂体-睾丸（HPT）轴来抑制TT浓度，我们分析了血清LH浓度；然而，未发现LH水平有显著变化。
结论 本研究表明，AgNPs对睾丸有潜在的不利影响，具体表现为生精细胞凋亡，并以暴露时间和剂量依赖性方式损害精子发生。睾丸毒性与HPT轴的抑制无关，可能涉及其他机制。
意义 这些发现有助于更广泛地讨论NP安全性和监管考虑因素，特别是关于它们的生殖毒性。
