Assessment of the potential toxic effect of magnetite nanoparticles on the male reproductive system based on immunological and molecular studies

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) are the most conventional type of iron oxide nanoparticles used in the food industrial processes, removal of heavy metals, and biomedical applications in vivo or in vitro. Until now, there is no sufficient information that can confirm its effect on the body's immune system and reproductive health in males. The purpose of this research is to estimate the immunotoxic and reproductive toxic effects of MNPs in male rats. This study included 36 adult male albino rats divided into three groups. The experimental groups were intraperitoneally injected with MNPs at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight 3 times/week for 60 days, while the control group was injected with saline solution. MNPs caused a significant decrease in the body weight change of the high-treated group. MNPs produced changes in the lymphocyte proliferation rate which referred to a significant immunotoxic effect measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-di-phenyltetrazolium bromide reduction method. The testicular tissue of male-treated rats showed some moderate and severe degenerative changes. The sperm parameters of count, motility, and viability were significantly decreased. Sperm morphological abnormalities were detected in all treated animals. MNPs produced a significant decrease in testosterone levels, increased the level of malondialdehyde, impaired the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and induced testicular DNA damage. In conclusion, MNPs affected the normal immune state in male rats and facilitated the generation of reactive oxygen species subsequently triggering testicular oxidative stress damages. All these consequences had a negative impact on male reproductive health.