Improvement of Sperm Parameters and Oxidative Stress by N-acetyl-cysteine in Adult Male Mice Treated with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

 Zinc oxide nanoparticles are one of the nanoscale materials that by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage and apoptosis may have cytotoxic effects on the reproductive system and endanger male fertility. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of N-acetylcysteine on sperm and biochemical parameters in mice treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles.

24 adult male NMRI mice with average weight (35.45 ± 2.11 g) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) of control, zinc oxide nanoparticles (50 mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (150 mg/kg) and N-acetylcysteine + zinc oxide nanoparticles and treated intraperitoneally for 28 days. Then the mice were anesthetized and their left epididymis was used to evaluate sperm parameters (number, motility and viability). In addition, serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Differences among mean values were considered significant at p<0.05.

We observed a significant decrease in the number, percentage of progressive motility and sperm viability, total antioxidant capacity, serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH in the zinc oxide nanoparticles group compared to those in the control group (p<0.001). While the plasma malondialdehyde level showed a significant increase (p<0.001). Simultaneous treatment with N-acetylcysteine and zinc oxide nanoparticles improved the above parameters significantly. In N-acetylcysteine group, no significant difference was observed in these parameters compared to the control group (p<0.05).

These findings showed that acetylcysteine has a protective role against the destructive effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on sperm parameters and biochemical factors by reducing oxidative stress, increasing the level of total antioxidant capacity and testosterone levels.