Combined protective effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles and melatonin on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in testicular histology and sperm parameters in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP) has been known as an anticancer drug with several side effects on various organs such as a male reproductive system that can cause infertility. To evaluate the possible combined effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZno) and melatonin (Mel) on sperm parameters and histopathological changes of the testis in CP-treated rats. 42 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. GI: control, GII: 60 mg/kg/wk CP, GIII and GIV, 10 mg/kg/wk Mel and 5mg/kg/wk nZno and GV: 5 mg/kg/wk nZno and 10 mg/kg/wk Mel were given 2 hr prior to CP injection, respectively,GVI: 5mg/kg/wk nZno and 10 mg/kg/wk Mel simultaneously. After 8 wk of treatment, rats were sacrificed and testis and epididymis were harvested for further evaluation. The CP-treated group showed significant decreases in the body, testes and epididymis weights and sperm parameters (sperm count, viability, motility) with an increase abnormal sperms when compared with the control (p<0.001), as well as many histological alterations included decreased diameters of seminiferous tubules and Johnsen's Testicular Score (with degeneration, desquamation, multi-nucleated giant cell formation), whereas combined treatment (GV), showed more protective effects on CP-induced reproductive system damage compared with groups III or IV (p<0.001). These results suggest simultaneous administration of Mel and nZno have more effectively protections against CP-induced reproductive damage than Mel or nZno alone.