Perspectives of Nanoparticles in Male Infertility: Evidence for Induced Abnormalities in Sperm Production

• Main Authors: Mehwish Iftikhar, Aasma Noureen, Muhammad Uzair, Farhat Jabeen, Mohamed Abdel Daim, and Tiziana Cappello
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: nanoparticles; nanotoxicology; reproductive health; spermatogenesis; sperm count; NP transfer
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1758

Advancement in the field of nanotechnology has prompted the need to elucidate the deleterious effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on reproductive health. Many studies have reported on the health safety issues related to NPs by investigating their exposure routes, deposition and toxic effects on different primary and secondary organs but few studies have focused on NPs’ deposition in reproductive organs. Noteworthy, even fewer studies have dealt with the toxic effects of NPs on reproductive indices and sperm parameters (such as sperm number, motility and morphology) by evaluating, for instance, the histopathology of seminiferous tubules and testosterone levels. To date, the research suggests that NPs can easily cross the blood testes barrier and, after accumulation in the testis, induce adverse effects on spermatogenesis. This review aims to summarize the available literature on the risks induced by NPs on the male reproductive system.