Effects of Different Doses of Silver Nanoparticles on Sperm Parameters, Chromatin Structure and DNA Integrity in Mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the negative effects of different doses of silvernanoparticles on fertility potential، chromatin structureand DNA integrity of epididymal sperm in mice. Twenty four male mice were divided into 4 groups (n=6) including one control and three experimental groups for orally administration of silver nanoparticles with three different doses (50، 100 and 200 μl/kg/day) for 5 weeks. Then، cauda epididymal spermatozoa were aspirated for analysis of sperm parameters using general microscopy methods and according to WHO criteria. Chromatin condensation، intensity of sperm chromatin abnormalities and protamine deficiency were assessed by three different cytochemical tests including aniline blue (AB)، toluidine blue (TB) and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) tests respectively. Results showed that third group (treated with the highest silvernanoparticles dose)، had the lowest sperm number، the lowest of sperm fast motility percentage and the lowest sperm percentage having normal morphology significantly in comparison with control and others groups. The II and III groups significantly showed differences in sperm chromatin condensation and deficiency comparing to other groups. In this study the negative effect of silver nanoparticles on mice sperm parameters، sperm chromatin structure and DNA integrity were observed. It is believed that the negative effects of silver nanoparticles on sperm quality are significant and depend on used doses.