Changes in Reproductive Hormones Secretion Involved in Quantum Dots-induced Reproductive Toxicity in Adult Male Mice

Background and Aims: Quantum dots (QDs), as colloidal nanocrystalline semiconductors, present QD wavelengths in terms of biomedical assays and imaging, though the high toxicity of their core demands to be taken into consideration. Investigating this subject is taken into account as an important concept   concerning use of these nanoparticles in the medical applications. Materials and Methods: ۱۰, ۲۰, and ۴۰ mg/kg doses of mentioned QDs were injected into some male mice. ۱۰ days after CdSe/ZnS, and the serum sample of mice were measured in regard with FSH, LH and testosterone assays. The testis and body weight of various groups were determined. Results: Within ۱۰ days after injection of ۴۰ mg/kg CdSe:ZnS, the serum LH concentration increased from ۰.۶۴ to ۰.۷۹ ng/ml and the serum testosterone concentration declined from ۱.۳۳ to ۰.۵۸ mIu/ml. Mean concentration of LH and testosterone CdSe:ZnS in ۴۰ mg/kg dose showed high toxicity of CdSe:ZnS in ۴۰ mg/kg dose. The FSH concentration did not reveal any significant differences compared to the control group. The body weight in all groups and the testicular weight in the treated mice with ۱۰, ۲۰ mg/kg CdSe QDs were similar to the control group. No significant changes were observed in regard with relative testis weights, whereas the testis weight decreased significantly from ۰.۰۹۳ to ۰.۰۵۵ gr (p< ۰.۰۱) in the mice receiving ۴۰ mg/kg CdSe:ZnS. Conclusions: Quantum dots were demonstrated to be capable of inducing detrimental effects on the reproductive systems of male mice. Since no study has been conducted in this realm, the present study can serve as an introduction to more studies regarding the effects of quantum dots toxicity on the development of male sexual system.

Keywords:

CdSe:ZnS , FSH , LH , Testosterone , Toxicity , -