Introduction: Gentamicin (GM) is a potent bactericidal, broad-spectrum aminoglycoside. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are featured with improved antioxidant ability compared to other chemical forms of selenium with reducing the risk of selenium toxicity.
Aim of the Work: The current work attempted to evaluate the possible protective contribution of selenium nanoparticles to gentamicin-induced toxicity in the testis of rat.
Material and Methods: 36 adult male albino rats were included in the current research. Their age ranges between 3-5 months and their weight (180-220g). Rats were categorized into three groups. Group I: It was composed of 12 rats, that were divided into three equivalent subgroups; Subgroup IA: compromising 4 rats maintained a negative control and received nothing but food and water for 6 days; Subgroup IB: included 4 rats that received 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP) saline for 6 successive days and Subgroup IC included 4 rats that received selenium nanoparticles 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (IP) for 6 successive days. Group II: It included twelve adult male rats that received gentamycin 100 mg/kg IP for 6 successive days. Group III: It included twelve rats that received both gentamicin and selenium nanoparticles. IP selenium nanoparticles will be administered to rats 1hr after the gentamicin treatment at the same dose and duration mentioned before. The serum testosterone level was determined. Sections of testis underwent histological, biochemical, morphometric and statistical analysis.
Results: Gentamycin induced a significant reduction in testosterone level and degeneration of the spermatogenic epithelial series with large areas of vacuolations, as well as thick and irregular basement membrane. Ki67 count was recorded. Injection of SeNPs enhanced the aforementioned aspects.
Conclusion: GM resulted in histological as well as biochemical changes in the testes of adult male rats. Administration of SeNPs with GM attenuated these negative impacts which can be attributed to the antioxidant activity.