Silver nanoparticles effects on epididymal sperm in rats

The motivation of our study was to examine the acute effects of intravenously administered a single bolus dose of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on rat spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules morphology. In the treated rats compared to the vehicle treated control animals, the experiments revealed a size-dependent (20 nm and 200 nm), dose-dependent (5 and 10 mg/kg body mass) and time-dependent (24 h, 7 and 28 days) decrease the epididymal sperm count measured by histological methods. In parallel AgNPs injection increased the level of DNA damage in germ cells, as measured by alkaline comet assay. Histological examination of the testes showed change in the testes seminiferous tubule morphometry in 200 nm Ag NPs treated rats. No change of body weight, adipose tissue distribution and the frequency of abnormal spermatozoa was observed. Twenty nanometers AgNP appeared to be more toxic than 200 nm ones.

► We tested the effects of different sizes and doses of nanosilver (AgNPs) on male rats.
► Sperm count, germ cell DNA damage and seminiferous tubule morphometry were measured.
► Intravenously administered low dose of small AgNPs have a toxic effect on germ cells.
► They also caused changes in sperm counts.
► Obtained results suggested a genotoxic effect of low dose small size AgNPs.