Alteration of sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in Swiss mice via oxidative stress after co-exposure to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract

In this study, Swiss male mice were intraperitoneally administered with titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) and their mixture (1:1) at doses between 9.38 and 75mg/kg for 5weeks to evaluate reproductive toxicity. Both NPs and their mixture significantly (p<.001) altered sperm motility, reduced sperm numbers and increased abnormalities, while their mixture induced more sperm abnormalities than either TiO2 NPs or ZnO NPs. Both NPs and their mixture significantly (p<.05) reduced the LH level, while ZnO NPs alone and their mixture (p<.001) increased the testosterone levels at tested doses. The testes of exposed mice showed pathological changes and altered histomorphometrics. TiO2 NPs and ZnO NPs individually induced a significant (p<.01) reduction in SOD and CAT activities, while the mixture significantly (p<.001) decreased CAT activity and increased SOD activity. TiO2 NPs alone at 9.38mg/kg induced a significant (p<.001) reduction in the GSH level, while both NPs and their mixture increased the MDA level significantly (p<.05). The data showed that the mixture had a synergistic interaction to induce testicular damage. Overall, oxidative stress may be involved in the NP-mediated testicular damage observed.