Effects of Allium cepa-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles on male reproductive tissue and sperm abnormalities of albino mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) had shown the positive effects on various parameters of human health. However, this can vary depending on plant category, NPs nature, doses of green synthesized NPs and type of cell or tissue taken for experiment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Allium cepa (A. cepa)-mediated zinc oxide ZnO NPs on male reproductive tissues and aberrations in sperm structure of albino mice. The green-synthesized NPs were synthesized with A. cepa and further characterized through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential and FTIR analysis. Various doses (75 mg, 150 mg, 225 mg and 300 mg/kg) were given orally to adult albino mice by keeping them in various groups for 28 days. Epididymis and testis were removed for assessment of spermatogenesis and histopathological analysis of testicular tissues was performed. The synthesized NPs showed absorption at 330 nm and size ranging from 50 to 90 nm through SEM. Dose-dependent significant decrease (P < 0.05) in sperm calculation, increased in sperm abnormalities and sperm motility were observed by the A. cepa mediated ZnO NPs compared to control group. Similarly, testicular tissues showed vacuolization and detachment in seminiferous tubules and degenerative sperm cells in experimental groups provided with synthesized ZnO NPs. The study concluded that ZnO NPs adversely effect on epididymal sperm parameters and testicular tissues of male albino mice.