尽管银纳米粒子(NPs)的广泛使用,这些NP可以积累并对各种器官产生毒性作用。然而,含藻酸盐涂层的银纳米结构(Ag-NS)对男性生殖系统的影响尚未研究。因此,本研究旨在探讨该NS对精子功能和睾丸结构的影响。经过Ag-NS的合成和表征,将动物分为五组(n=8),包括一个对照组,两个假手术组(接受1.5mg/kg/天的海藻酸钠溶液,持续14天和35天),和两个治疗组(以相同的剂量和时间接受Ag-NS)。注射后,精子参数,凋亡,和自噬通过TUNEL分析和BaxmRNA表达的测量,Bcl-2、caspase-3、LC3和Beclin-1。通过体外受精(IVF)评估受精率,使用TUNEL测定和苏木精和曙红(H&E)染色分析睾丸结构。结果表明,NS呈杆状,尺寸约为60纳米,并可能降低精子功能和生育能力。基因表达结果显示凋亡标志物的增加和自噬标志物的减少,表明凋亡细胞死亡。此外,Ag-NS侵入睾丸组织,尤其是在慢性期(35天),导致组织改变和上皮崩解。结果表明,精子参数和生育力受到影响。此外,NS对睾丸组织有负面影响,导致暴露于这些NS的男性不孕。
Despite the widespread use of silver nanoparticles (NPs), these NPs can accumulate and have toxic effects on various organs. However, the effects of silver nanostructures (Ag-NS) with alginate coating on the male reproductive system have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of this NS on sperm function and testicular structure. After the synthesis and characterization of Ag-NS, the animals were divided into five groups (n = 8), including one control group, two sham groups (received 1.5 mg/kg/day alginate solution for 14 and 35 days), and two treatment groups (received Ag-NS at the same dose and time). Following injections, sperm parameters, apoptosis, and autophagy were analyzed by the TUNEL assay and measurement of the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, LC3, and Beclin-1. Fertilization rate was assessed by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and testicular structure was analyzed using the TUNEL assay and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The results showed that the NS was rod-shaped, had a size of about 60 nm, and could reduce sperm function and fertility. Gene expression results demonstrated an increase in the apoptotic markers and a decrease in autophagy markers, indicating apoptotic cell death. Moreover, Ag-NS invaded testicular tissues, especially in the chronic phase (35 days), resulting in tissue alteration and epithelium disintegration. The results suggest that sperm parameters and fertility were affected. In addition, NS has negative influences on testicular tissues, causing infertility in men exposed to these NS.