Assessment of beneficial effects of methionine loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles on mice semen quality

Background: The extensive use of different nanoparticles has raised great concerns about their biological safety.Objective: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of methionine loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles on mice semen quality.Materials and Methods: Animals: Fifty sexually mature male NMRI mice weighed 25-30 gr (1.5-2 months old) were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 animals and housed in cages at 21±2oC in an artificial dark-light (12 hr) cycle. During the study, the animals received water and pellet food (Javaneh Khorasan Co, Iran) ad libitum. Experimental design: Fifty mice randomly divided into 5 different groups (n=10/each): groups M50 and M100, which received 0.2 ml L-Methionin (Merck, Germany), diluted in distilled water, at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg-1 daily for 6 wk, respectively. Groups N50 and N100 which received 0.2 ml L-Methionin loaded mesoporous zinc nanoparticles at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg-1 daily for 42 days, respectively. Finally, group C (control) which received the same volume of normal saline. The supplements were injected intra-peritoneally in all animals, during experiment. Sperm quality analysis: Sperm samples were obtained from each group at the end of 6th wk. Samples of mature sperm were collected from the cauda region of epididymis by mincing it finely in PBS at 37°C. Sperm quality was determined by some parameters: Sperm concentration, motility and vitality. Sperm DNA damage was expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using Acridine orange staining, percentage chromatin condensation was assessed by Aniline blue, protamine deficiency in sperm chromatin was evaluated by Chromomycin and the percentage of sperm with high mitochondrial transmembrane potential was determined by Flow cytometry.Results: Obtained results revealed that methionine loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles may have some beneficial effects on mice semen quality.Conclusion: In conclusion, methionine loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibited markedly different efficiencies in safeguarding spermatological parameters in the current study.

Keywords:

Methionine , Mice , Sperm , Zinc oxide nanoparticles