Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most eminent and commonly used nanoparticles in customer everyday products for both adults and children.
Objective: This study objects to study the effect of prepubertal exposure of AgNPs on the histological structure of testis and the possible protective role of vitamin E.
Materials and Methods: Twenty three days old juvenile male albino rats were used and divided into 3 groups. Group I control: subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup Ia (negative control), Rats received no treatment and sacrified at postnatal day (PND) 23 and 58. Subgroup Ib (vehicle control group), further subdivided into two subgroup Ib1, Ib2. Group II: subdivided into 2 subgroups: Subgroup IIa; rats treated with AgNPs intraperitoneally daily at dose of (50 μg /kg/day) for 35 days from 23 PND to 58 PND and Subgroup IIb; treated with AgNPs and vitamin E (vit. E) orally by gavage at a dose (150 mg /kg /day) dissolved in corn oil from age 23-58 PND, Group III; follow up group, rats received AgNPs left without treatment till 90 PND.
Results: Testicular damage was also detected in AgNPs treated group as compared to the control group. Vit. E-treated subgroup and the follow up groups showed significant testicular improvement. A drastic decrease of testicular germinal epithelial height in AgNPs treated compared to control and vit. E treated rats. The expression of Bcl2 immunoreaction was also decreased in AgNPs-treated rats compared to the control and AgNPs and vit. E-treated groups.
Conclusion: AgNPs induced structural changes on male reproductive system that can be ameliorated by Vit. E supplementation and limiting the exposure to the products rich in these particles.