Morphometric and stereological assessment of the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the mouse testicular tissue

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) on morphometric and stereological parameters of mouse testis. BACKGROUND: TNPs are increasingly used in sunscreens, biosensors, food additives, pigments, rubber manufacture, and electronic materials. However, the potential toxicity of these nanoparticles is not well understood. METHODS: Experimental Groups (TNP-1, TNP-2 and TNP-3) received one of the following treatments daily for 35 days: 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg TNPs respectively. Right testis from each animal was fixed in bouin's solution for measurement of total volume of testis, total volume of seminiferous tubules, total volume of interstitial tissue and total number of Leydig cells by stereological methods. Seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelium height were assessed by morphometrical method. The left testicles were homogenized for measurement of testosterone concentration. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the weight of testicles in TNP-3 groups. The stereological and morphometrical parameters were significantly changed in TNP-2 and TNP-3 groups. TNP-2 and TNP-3 groups also showed a significant decrease in testosterone concentrations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study had demonstrated that TNPs could change stereological and morphometrical parameters of the seminiferous tubules and reduce the number of Leydig cells and testosterone concentration (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 35). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.