Aim: To assess ultrastructural changes, alterations in matrix metalloproteinase activity and apoptosis induced by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the rat testicle.
Materials & methods: For 45 days, two groups of animals received different doses of AgNPs (0.8 and 1.5 mg/kg b.w.), and a control group was given the buffer used as vehicle for AgNPs. At 7 and 15 days post-treatment, transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL assay, evaluation of NFkB, pNFkB, p53, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 expressions were performed on the removed testes.
Results: Transmission electron microscopy revealed severe ultrastructural changes of interstitial tissue and seminiferous epithelium sustained by positive signal for apoptosis. The promatrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and NFkB, Bcl-2 expressions were increased, mainly at 7 days.
Conclusion: AgNPs induced severe cell lesions identified even a long time after the exposure.
Keywords: apoptosis; electron microscopy; rat testicle; silver nanoparticles; transcription factors.