Clin Exp Reprod Med.  2024 Mar;51(1):20-27. 10.5653/cerm.2023.06079.

The protective effect of zinc oxide and selenium oxide nanoparticles on the functional parameters of rat sperm during vitrification

• Saleh NT
• Hosseinzadeh Z
• Banadkuki NG
• Novin MS
• Zaman SS
• Gardeshi TM

• KMID: 2553182
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2023.06079

Abstract

Objective
While sperm freezing (cryopreservation) is an effective method for preserving fertility, it can potentially harm the structure and function of sperm due to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to assess the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and selenium oxide nanoparticles (SeONPs) on various sperm functional parameters, including motility, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), acrosome membrane integrity (ACi), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.
Methods
Semen samples were collected from 20 Albino Wistar rats. These samples were then divided into six groups: fresh, cryopreservation control, and groups supplemented with SeONPs (1, 2, 5 μg/mL) and ZnONPs (0.1, 1, 10 μg/mL).
Results
Statistical analysis revealed that all concentrations of SeONPs increased total motility and progressive reduction of MDA levels compared to the cryopreservation control group (p<0.05). However, supplementation with ZnONPs did not affect these parameters (p>0.05). Conversely, supplements of 1 and 2 μg/mL SeONPs and 1 μg/mL ZnONPs contributed to the improvement of PMI and ACi (p<0.05). Yet, no significant change was observed in MMP with any concentration of SeONPs and ZnONPs compared to the cryopreservation control group (p>0.05).
Conclusion
The findings suggest that optimal concentrations of SeONPs may enhance sperm parameters during the freezing process.

Keyword

Functional parameters; Nanoparticles; Selenium oxides; Sperm; Vitrification; Zinc oxide