Effect of platinum nanoparticles on rabbit spermatozoa motility and viability

Abstract

Male reproductive health is becoming a frequently asked question nowadays. Spermatozoa can be highly sensitive to various substances found in the environment. With the accretive usage of nanoparticles in technology and medicine, nanoparticles may also pose as potential environmental contaminants. Platinum nanoparticles are increasingly used in medicine, mainly for cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platinum nanoparticles on the motility and viability of rabbit spermatozoa in-vitro. Rabbit semen (n = 5) was cultured with solutions with different concentrations of platinum nanoparticles (control group or CON = only 0.9% NaCl; experimental groups D = 62.5 µg/ml, E = 31.25 µg/ml, F = 15.63 µg/ml, G = 7.81 µg/ml, H = 3.91 µg/ml, I = 1.95 µg/ml, J = 0.98 µg/ml, K = 0.49 µg/ml, and L = 0.24 µg/ml platinum nanoparticles) at time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 24 hours. Selected parameters were analysed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) technology – total motility (MOT, %), progressive motility (PRO, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, µm/s) and viability (metabolic activity) of spermatozoa using the MTT test. Platinum nanoparticles negatively affected spermatozoa motility, progressive motility, and curvilinear velocity at almost all assessed time intervals, mainly at the highest used concentrations. The initial time interval shows a slight but statistically significant increase in MOT and PRO. Spermatozoa viability was not significantly affected, according to the results of this experiment. It was shown that the effect of platinum nanoparticles is time and dose-dependent. However, further analyses are needed to draw complete conclusions.