Effect of zirconium oxide nanoparticle on spermatogenesis and plasma level of testostrone in Wistar rat

Background: Nanotechnology is the knowledge in which materials are created and manipulated in nano scale (1-100 nm). The nano scale products definite properties are ultra-small size large surface area to mass ratio and high reactivity. Because of unique properties from zirconium oxide nano ceramic, it is used as the therapeutic implement, drug delivery and biocomposits in orthopedic and dental implant application. Spermatogenesis is a complex process of germ cell proliferation and differentiation which is particularly sensitive to chemicals.Methods: In this study, we elaborated the effects of zirconium oxide nanoparticle on 32 Wistar rats in spermatogenesis. We randomly chose four groups in 8 rats. Control group was only treated by normal saline and three experimental groups were treated with 50 , 200 and 400 ppm of zirconium oxide solution. We obtained results by sectioning of testes that stained with Hematoxylin –Eosin stain and level of testostrone in plasma was evaluated with ELISA method.Result: In experimental group 3 treated with 400 ppm zirconium oxide nanoparticle, irregular and disrupted germinal epithelium and shrinkage of sperm tubules were clearly observed. In this group, also spermatogony, spermatocyte, spermatid, sertoli and lydig cells decreased significantly (P≤0.001). In addition, level of testostrone decreased in all experimental groups compared with control but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Zirconium oxide nanoparticles pass from blood- testes barrier easily. Therefore, they damage testes histologically and decrease germ cells in different stages of their development apparently. Also, sertoli and leydig cells are decreased. Thus, testosterone levels decline in plasma. These changes raise infertility. Mechanism of ZrO2 NP affects spermatogenesis. have not been recognize, exactly. It appears that ROS and free radicals which damage testes and spermatogenesis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanopartilcle ، Spermatogenesis ، Testostrone ، Wistar rat ، Zirconium oxide