Effects of silver nanoparticles on quantity and quality characteristics of Japanese quail sperm

The present research, the effects of silver nanoparticles on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sperm in Japanese quail were investigated. The sperm was diluted in medium containing 0, 0.75, 0.125 and 0.250 ppm of silver nanoparticle. Sperm viability, Membrane integrity were assessed using the eosin-nigrosine test. Sperm acrosome health was evaluated after 40 minutes of treatment with silver nanoparticles at 39 ℃ by Formalin-citrate solution. Sperm concentration, motility, and progressive sperm motility were measured. Addition of silver nanoparticles to the semen of quail significantly decreased sperm motility at 0.25 and 0.250 ppm. Addition of silver nanoparticles in 0.125 and 0.250 ppm levels to quail semen significantly decreased motility and progressive motility(p < 0.05). Viability was significantly reduced in 0.125 and 0.250 ppm AgNPs. The acrosome integrity was significantly decreased at 0.125 silver nanoparticles (p < 0.05). The percentage of spermatozoa with an intact membrane (p < 0.05) were significantly decteased in treatments containg of 0.125 and 0.250 ppm silver nanoparticles in comparison to control group. The nanoparticles may be able to damage the acrosomal membrane. The results of this study suggest that silver nanoparticles may have toxic effects on sperm and may cause sperm death.