Effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on varicocele-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rats

Varicocele is a pathological dilation of the venous network of the spermatic cord and considering that magnesium oxide nanoparticles play a key role in various physiological functions, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of nanoparticles on sperm characteristics affected by experimental varicocele. A total of 54 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 equal groups including healthy control group (untouched animals), sham-operated group (underwent sham surgery), three healthy experimental groups (animals in these groups received magnesium oxide nanoparticles at doses of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg respectively by gavage for 6 weeks), varicocele control group (varicocele was induced by renal vein ligation) and three experimental varicocele groups (in addition to varicocele induction, magnesium oxide nanoparticles were given at doses of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg respectively by gavage for 6 weeks). At the end of the 6th week, the abdomen was opened and semen samples were collected from the tail of the epididymis to determine the indices of concentration, survival and motility of sperm and the data were statistically analyzed (p<0.05). The results showed that magnesium oxide nanoparticles were able to significantly increase the concentration, viability, progressive, moderate and non-progressive movements of sperm compared to the varicocele group (p<0.001) and also caused a significant decrease (p<0.001) in the number of non-moving sperms in the varicocele experimental groups. Therefore, magnesium oxide nanoparticles may possibly reduce the destructive effects of varicocele due to their antioxidant activity and be effective in its treatment by improving sperm properties during varicocele.