Objective To investigate the role and potential mechanism of zinc oxide nanoparticles(ZnO NPs) in the reproductive system of male mice.Methods Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group(mice were gavaged with the equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution),100 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs-treated group,200 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs-treated group and 400 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs-treated group,with 6 mice in each group.After treatment for 14 days,the testes and epididymides were collected.The testes were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then were visualized under microscope.The contents of malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX) were measured using commercial kits.Results The testis coefficient and epididymal coefficient did not change in ZnO NPs-treated mice(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the epididymal sperm density and testicular activities of SOD and GSH-PX were decreased in all the three ZnO NPs-treated groups,and testicular MDA levels were increased and GSH contents were decreased in 200 and 400 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs-treated groups(P<0.05).In mice receiving 200 and 400 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs,the seminiferous tubule showed disorganized histoarchitecture and germ cell depletion.However,no morphologic changes in seminiferous epithelium were noted in the 100 mg·kg-1 ZnO NPs-treated group.Conclusion ZnO NPs can induce oxidative stress in the testis,which may be involved in ZnO NPs-induced germ cell injury and inhibition of spermatogenesis.%目的 探讨纳米氧化锌(zinc oxide nanoparticles,ZnO NPs)对雄性小鼠生殖系统的影响及其机制.方法将24只小鼠随机分为4组:正常对照组(等容量0.9%氯化钠注射液灌胃)、ZnO NPs 1组(ZnO NPs 100 mg·kg-1灌胃)、ZnO NPs 2组(ZnO NPs 200 mg·kg-1灌胃)和ZnO NPs 3组(ZnO NPs 400 mg·kg-1灌胃),每组6只.连续干预14 d后,收集各组小鼠睾丸和附睾组织,睾丸组织用苏木精-伊红(HE)染色后在倒置显微镜下观察睾丸组织形态,分别检测各组小鼠睾丸组织中丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)的水平及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)的活性.结果 与正常对照组比较,ZnO NPs 1、2、3组小鼠睾丸系数、附睾系数均无明显变化(P>0.05),ZnO NPs 1、2、3组小鼠附睾中精子数均明显减少和ZnO NPs 2、3组小鼠睾丸上清液MDA水平均明显升高,GSH水平及ZnO NPs 1、2、3组小鼠睾丸上清液SOD、GSH-PX活性均明显降低(均P<0.05).倒置显微镜下显示ZnO NPs 1组小鼠睾丸曲细精管无明显破坏,ZnO NPs 2、3组小鼠睾丸曲细精管结构紊乱显著,并出现生精细胞脱落.结论 ZnO NPs可诱导睾丸组织产生氧化应激,小鼠睾丸生精细胞的损伤及精子发生的抑制与氧化应激密切相关.
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