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[Study on reproductive toxicity of nano-cadmium sulfide with different particle sizes on male mice]
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the reproductive toxicity of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (Nano-CdS) with different particle sizes on male mice. Methods: In January 2019, 30 SPF grade male mice were randomly divided into a control group, an experimental group[CdS Ⅰ group (particle size approximately 5 nm), and a CdS Ⅱ group (particle size approximately 50 nm) ], with 10 mice in each group. The experimental group was orally gavaged with 100 mg/kg, once a day, while the control group was gavaged with an equal volume of physiological saline for 45 consecutive days. After 45 days, levels of cadmium accumulation in testis were determined directly by AAS, deformity and testicular histopathological changes were also observed. Serum testosterone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA), expression levels of P450scc, 17β-HSD and P450c17 mRNA were determined by real-time PCR. P450c17 protein was determinated by Western Blot. Results: The histopathological results showed that the testes of the experimental group mice showed varying degrees of damage; Ultrastructural observation showed that the ultrastructure of mouse testicular cells in each experimental group showed varying degrees of mitochondrial expansion and disappearance of cristae, as well as irregular nuclear membranes. The degree of damage in CdS Ⅰ group was milder than that in CdS Ⅱ group. Compared with the control group, the cadmium content in the testes of the CdS Ⅰ and CdS Ⅱ groups significantly increased (P=0.001, 0.001), and the CdS Ⅱ group was higher than the CdS Ⅰ group (P=0.001). Compared with the control group, the levels of testosterone in the CdS Ⅰ and CdS Ⅱ groups decreased with statistical significance (P=0.001, 0.001). Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the experimental group's P450scc, 17β-HSD. The expression levels of 17β-HSD and P450c17 mRNA were significantly reduced, with statistically significant differences (P=0.001, 0.001, 0.001), and CdS Ⅱ group 17β-HSD. The expression levels of 17β-HSD and P450c17 mRNA were significantly lower than those of CdS Ⅰ group (P=0.001, 0.036). The Western Blot assay results showed that the expression levels of P450c17 protein in the testes of CdS Ⅰ and CdS Ⅱ groups of mice were significantly reduced, with statistical significance (P=0.001, 0.001) ; And the CdS Ⅱ group was significantly lower than the CdS Ⅰ group (P=0.001). According to Spearman correlation analysis, testosterone levels are correlated with P450scc, P450c17, 17β-HSD mRNA. There is a highly positive correlation between 17β-HSD mRNA levels, with statistically significant differences (r(s)=0.88, 0.80, 0.70, P=0.001, 0.001, 0.004) . Conclusion: Nano cadmium sulfide may induce reproductive toxicity by reducing the expression levels of key enzyme genes and enzyme protein activity in testosterone and its synthesis in mice, and the CdS Ⅱ group has a stronger toxic effect.
Insights
Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (Nano-CdS) induce male reproductive toxicity by decreasing testosterone synthesis and key enzyme expression in mice. Larger Nano-CdS particles (50 nm) exhibit a stronger toxic effect than smaller ones (5 nm).
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Nanoparticle safety assessment
- Reproductive toxicology
Context:
- Nanomaterials offer novel applications but pose potential health risks.
- Cadmium compounds are known toxicants with reproductive effects.
- Understanding nanoparticle-specific toxicity is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the reproductive toxicity of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (Nano-CdS) of varying sizes in male mice.
- To investigate the impact of Nano-CdS on testicular histopathology, cadmium accumulation, and testosterone synthesis.
- To determine the effect of Nano-CdS particle size on the severity of reproductive toxicity.
Summary:
- Oral administration of Nano-CdS to male mice resulted in testicular damage, increased cadmium accumulation, and reduced testosterone levels.
- Nano-CdS exposure significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of key enzymes involved in testosterone synthesis (P450scc, 17β-HSD, P450c17).
- A particle size of approximately 50 nm (CdS II group) induced more severe reproductive toxicity compared to approximately 5 nm (CdS I group).
Impact:
- Nano-CdS exposure can disrupt male reproductive function by interfering with steroidogenesis.
- The findings highlight the dose-dependent and particle-size-dependent toxicity of Nano-CdS.
- This research contributes to the understanding of nanoparticle risks in environmental and occupational health settings.
