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Effect of beta-carotene on titanium oxide nanoparticles-induced testicular toxicity in mice

  • Gonadal Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This study evaluated the protective effect of beta-carotene (BC) on titanium oxide nanoparticle (TNP) induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. BC group received 10 mg/kg of BC for 35 days. TNP group received 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. TNP+BC group initially received 10 mg/kg BC for 10 days and was followed by concomitant administration of 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. Control group received only normal saline for 35 days. Epididymal sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, spermatogenesis assessments and testosterone assay were performed for evaluation of the TNP and BC effects on testis.

Results

Serum testosterone levels were markedly decreased in TNP-intoxicated mice. Epididymal sperm parameters including sperm number, motility and percentage of abnormality were significantly changed in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.01). Histopathological criteria such as epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ cells and detachment were significantly increased in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.001). BC+TNP treatment significantly prevented these changes (p < 0.05). BC also significantly elevates testosterone levels in BC+TNP group compared to TNP-treated mice (p < 0.01).

Discussion and conclusion

The results of this study demonstrated that BC improved the spermatogenesis defects in TNP-treated mice. BC had a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity and might be clinically useful.

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Acknowledgments

This paper was issue from thesis of Erfan Daneshi and was supported by a Grant (CMRC-84) from the research council of the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell & Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box: 61335, Ahvaz, Iran

    Mahmoud Orazizadeh, Layasadat Khorsandi, Forouzan Absalan, Mahmoud Hashemitabar & Erfan Daneshi

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  1. Mahmoud Orazizadeh
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  2. Layasadat Khorsandi
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  3. Forouzan Absalan
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  4. Mahmoud Hashemitabar
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Correspondence to Layasadat Khorsandi.

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Capsule Beta-carotene has an ameliorating effect against titanium oxide nanoparticlesinduced testicular germ cell damage in mice.

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Orazizadeh, M., Khorsandi, L., Absalan, F. et al. Effect of beta-carotene on titanium oxide nanoparticles-induced testicular toxicity in mice. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 561–568 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0184-5

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