Abstract
Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been widely used in various industrial and commercial applications, which become a potential threat to aquatic organisms. Nevertheless, their potential toxicity to the epididymis and sperm remains little known. In this study, we evaluated the effect of CuNPs and copper ions (CuSO4) on the spermatozoa viability, epididymal structure, antioxidant enzyme activity, and inflammatory cytokines in cauda epididymis of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. Results showed that the spermatozoa viability of Chinese soft-shelled turtles decreased significantly with an increase in CuNPs or Cu ions concentrations. The epithelial cells of the epididymal duct of the Chinese soft-shelled turtles with the treatment of 5 mg kg−1 CuNPs were slightly swollen, and the connective tissue between the epididymal ducts was loose. The epithelial structure of the epididymal tube was severely damaged with an increase in Cu ion concentrations. Compared to the control, the antioxidative enzymes activities and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 mRNA in the epididymis significantly increased with the treatment of CuNPs or CuSO4. The present study revealed that Cu ions exert more harmful effect on the epididymis and spermatozoa viability of Chinese soft-shelled turtles than copper nanoparticles.
Highlights
Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, which have received much attention in these years and have been widely used in fungicides, cosmetics, printers, and electronics, because of their antifungal, optical, and electrical properties [1,2]
Results showed that the treatment of CuNPs and CuSO4 resulted in a dramatic decrease in sperm viability after 24 h of injection compared with the control (Figure 1B–E)
The epithelial cells of the epididymal duct of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle with the treatment of 5 mg kg−1 CuNPs were slightly swollen, and the connective tissue between the epididymal ducts was slightly loose (Figure 2A); we found intravascular congestion, and a small amount of blood appeared in the lumen blood cells in the epididymis of Chinese soft-shelled turtle with the treatment of 50 mg kg−1
Summary
Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, which have received much attention in these years and have been widely used in fungicides, cosmetics, printers, and electronics, because of their antifungal, optical, and electrical properties [1,2]. Copper is an essential trace metal required by all living organisms, it can be toxic to organisms when it excesses the physiological requirement of organisms. The application of CuNPs has caused adverse effects on aquatic organisms, such as fish, daphnias, and algaes, due to their dynamic physicochemical processes in an aquatic environment [7,8]. The LC50 value represents a common point in the lethal physiological response to toxicity, which has been abundant in data in many crustaceans. For paddy field crab Paratelphusa hydrodromus and freshwater crab, Barytelphusa cunicularis, the 96 h-LC50 values recorded were 15.70 mg Cu/L and 215 mg Cu/L, respectively [11,12].
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