Copper oxide nanoparticles toxicity on pituitary gonadal axis and spermatogenesis in male rats

• Main Authors: Sajjad Rajabi, Ali Noori, Fatemeh Shahbazi
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Golestan University of Medical Sciences 2019-10-01
• Series: مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی گرگان
• Subjects: Copper oxide nanoparticles; Gonadotropins; Testosterone; Spermatogenesis
• Online Access: http://goums.ac.ir/journal/article-1-3438-en.html

Background and Objective: Copper oxide nanoparticles with unique properties have numerous biological applications with probably toxicity. This study was conducted to determine the toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles on the pituitary-gonadal axis and spermatogenesis in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups including control group and three intervention  groups which receiving the cancentration of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg of copper oxide nanoparticles 5 times intra-peritoneally, respectively. Blood sampling was collected first day and 15 days after the last injection. Level of testosterone, FSH and LH were measured by ELISA method. After anesthesia and dissection of mice in each group, tissue sections of testis were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Morphological status of spermatogenesis process and counting of types of cells (spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid) were studied by optical microscope. Results: In the first day of blood collection, a significant increase in LH and FSH level was observed at concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Also, Testosterone and FSH level decreased significantly reduced at 10 mg/kg/bw concentration compared to control (P<0.05). In 15 days after of the last injection, level of testosterone (P<0.05) and LH (P<0. 05) significantly increased in concentrations of 10 and 30 mg/kg/bw respectively. Also, there was a significant reduction in level of FSH in the concentration of 10 mg/kg/bw (P<0.05). The examination of testis tissue sections showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in density and number of cell types (spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid) and anomalies in the spermatogenesis process, in a dose-dependent manner. The most disturbances was seen at a concentration of 30 mg/kg/bw of copper oxide nanoparticles. Conclusion: Copper oxide nanoparticles may interfere with the secretion of gonadotropins and testosterone and ultimately lead to a disruption of the spermatogenesis process.