Protective effect of Nigella sativa on sperm parameters in mice exposed to titanium dioxide during embryonic development

Nanotechnology is the precise and controlled manipulation of the atomic or molecular structure of nanoscale materials for the preparation of particulate matter with new properties and specific applications. Many in vivo and in vitro studies have shown the negative and destructive effects of nanoparticles on male germ cells.Nanoparticles include primary particles with at least one of their dimensions less than 100 nm. This study included 20 male and female adult mice (NMRI), between 6 and 8 weeks of age and weight of 25-30 g. We placed every two adult female mice with a male adult mouse in a cage for mating. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into 4 groups.)control,titanium, nigella sativa,titanium +nigella sativa). Animals were sacrificed by cervical spine dislocation under anesthesia. Then, using a neobar lamel and under the optical microscope, number of sperms and their morphology were assessed.  In this study, semen parameters including sperm morphology and number and also weights of organs were assessed. We found decreased number of sperms, increased number of abnormal sperms and decreased weight in the titanium group. But protective effect of Nigella sativa in the treatment group led to a significant difference in the sperm parameters compared to that in the titanium group (p>0.05). TNP reduced sperm count and increased the number of abnormal sperms, Previous studies by Hajshafiha showed the ability of nanoparticles to cross the blood-testicular barrier. Protective and antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa can greatly reduce the toxicity of TNP. NS had a potent protective effect against the toxic effect of TNP on testese.