Author/Authors :
Amiri، Gholamreza نويسنده Department of Physic, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran , , Valipoor، Akram نويسنده Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran , , Parivar، Kazem نويسنده Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , , Modaresi، Mehrdad نويسنده Islamic Azad University-Khorasgan Branch, Isfahan, Iran , , Noori، Ali نويسنده Department of Biology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran , , Gharamaleki، Hamideh نويسنده Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran , , Taheri، Jafar نويسنده Department of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran , , Kazemi، Ali نويسنده Department of Chemistry, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran ,
Abstract :
Background: Quantum dots (QDs) are new types of fluorescent materials for biological labeling.
QDs toxicity study is an essential requirement for future clinical applications. Therefore,
this study aimed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of CdSe: ZnS QDs on male reproductive system.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the different concentrations of
CdSe: ZnS QDs (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) were injected to 32 male mice (adult group) and
24 pregnant mice (embryo group) on day 8 of gestation. The histological changes of
testis and epididymis were studied by a light microscopy, and the number of seminiferous
tubules between two groups was compared. One-way analysis of variance (one-way
Anova) using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, SPSS Inc., USA)
version 16 were performed for statistical analysis.
Results: In adult group, histological studies of testis tissues showed a high toxicity of CdSe:
ZnS in 40 mg/kg dose followed by a decrease in lamina propria; destruction in interstitial tissue;
deformation of seminiferous tubules; and a reduction in number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes,
and spermatids. However, there was an interesting result in fetal testis development,
meaning there was no significant effect on morphology and structure of the seminiferous
tubules and number of sperm stem cells. Also histological study of epididymis tissues in both
groups (adult and embryo groups) showed no significant effect on morphology and structure
of tubule and epithelial cells, but there was a considerable reduction in number of spermatozoa
in the lumen of the epididymal duct in 40 mg/kg dose of adult group.
Conclusion: The toxicity of QDs on testicular tissue of the mice embryo and adult are different
before and after puberty. Due to lack of research in this field, this study can be an introduction
to evaluate the toxicity of QDs on male reproduction system in different stages of development.
