Study of different doses of zinc oxide nanoparticles by intraperitoneal and gavage methods on testicular tissue in Wistar rats: An experimental study

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPS) are widely used in human life; however, they do have side effects on human health.

This study aimed to evaluate the different doses of ZnO-NPS on testicular tissue.

35 male Wistar rats (10-12 wk, 220 ± 20 gr) were divided into 7 groups of 5, including the control group (gavaged distilled water daily), sham group (received intraperitoneal doses of distilled water twice a week). The group received intraperitoneal ZnO-NPS (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight, twice a week), and gavage (150 and 200 mg/kg body weight daily). All stages of the test were performed in 4 wk then serum testosterone and tissue malondialdehyde, and ferric reducing antioxidant power levels were measured, also testes histopathological evaluation was performed.

Our results showed that a reduced cell population of spermatozoa was observed in the group that received 25 mg/kg ZnO-NPS, while a reduced cell population of spermatozoa, edema, hyperemia, and vacuolar degeneration were observed in the group that received 50 and 100 mg/kg ZnO-NPS. The maximum amount of lesions were observed in the dose of 200 mg/kg. The highest amount of ferric reducing antioxidant power and testosterone levels were observed in the control group. Also, a 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose of ZnO-NPS and 150 mg/kg oral dose of ZnO-NPS were suitable doses to create a model of male genital lesions.

Nanoparticles are harmful factors for the reproductive system and consequently affect infertility, which requires the toxicity of the concentration of these nanoparticles to be evaluated and controlled.