Effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on testis histology and hormones of pituitary-testicular axis in small laboratory mice (Mus musculus)

Regarding Ag-NPs are able to pass through biological memebranes. So, this study aimed to investigate effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on testis histology and hormones of pituitary-testicular axis in small laboratory mice (Mus musculus).
In this experimental study, a group of 36 BALB/c adult male mice (average weights; 28.5±3 g) were randomly divided into three groups; one control and two treatment groups (n=12 each). The treated groups 1 and 2 received 20 and 50 ppm concentrations of Ag-NPs, respectively. Sampling was done on days 7, 21 and 40 of the experiment. Four groups of mice in each group were anesthetized by anesthetic substance (10 m/L ketamine, 0.5 m/L acepromazine, 2 m/L diazepam and xylazine less than 0.5 m/L) in amounts less than 0.01 m/L by insulin syringe with muscle injections. Blood sampling was obtained directly from the ventricle and serum samples were rotated for 10 min at 3000 rpm. A didgital babalne was used to weigh changes of body weight and biomass of the testes. Histological slides were preapared form the testes and then satined by H and E stining method. The data were analyzed by one-way Anova using SPSS.
The average of mice body weight did not show any significant difference. Howvere, remarkable histological changes were found in the 50-ppm Ag-NPs treated group than to 20 ppm treated group. Serum level of LH increased 8% and 31% in the treated groups one and two, respectively. Howver, serum level of FSH did not show any significant differnec between both tratement groups and the control.
The use of Ag-NPs can lead to hormonal and histological changes in the male testis and consequently affects the male reproductive system and fertility.