Skip to main content

Effects of Unconjugated Gold, Silver and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Bovine Spermatozoa at Various Stages of Cryopreservation

Buy Article:

$22.27 + tax (Refund Policy)

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of nanoparticles (NP) for gender-selected spermatozoa, spermenriched semen and novel extenders raises the concern of undesirable effects on fertility and sperm function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of gold (Au-), silver (Ag-), and titanium dioxide (TiO2 -) NPs on the motility and sperm functions in bovine spermatozoa at various stages of cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Frieswal (Sahiwal × Holstein Friesian) bull semen ejaculates (N = 24) were challenged with unconjugated and ligand-free Au-, Ag-, and TiO2 -NPs. RESULTS: At post-dilution (fresh) stage, there was no significant difference observed in progressive motility and viability amongst the control and any nanoparticle-treated groups, though plasma membrane integrity was significantly reduced in nanoparticle-treated groups (p < 0.05). The acrosome intactness was also significantly reduced in the groups of Ag-NP and TiO2 -NP (p < 0.05), while there was no effect observed in the Au-NP group. At post-equilibration stage, a significant reduction in motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity was observed in all three nanoparticle-treated groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference in intact acrosome between the control and Au-NPs groups; which was significantly higher than the Ag-NP and TiO2 -NP groups (p < 0.05). At post-thaw stage, all NP groups resulted in a significant reduction of motility, viability, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity (p< 0.05). Besides, TiO2 -NPs appear to be significant more toxic (p< 0.05) among three NP groups, and Au-NPs appear to be lesser toxic. CONCLUSION: Bovine spermatozoa are adversely affected by Au-, Ag- and TiO2 -NPs that may impair sperm motility and other functions.

Keywords: FRIESWAL BULL; GOLD; NANOTOXICITY; SILVER; SPERMATOZOA; TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Document Type: Regular Paper

Affiliations: 1: Semen Freezing Laboratory, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India 2: Animal Physiology Laboratory, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India 3: Animal Physiology and Reproduction Section, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats (ICAR-CIRG), Makhdoom, Farah, Uttar Pradesh, India 4: Division of Cattle Nutrition and Management, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Publication date: May 1, 2022

More about this publication?
  • CryoLetters is a bimonthly international journal for low temperature sciences, including cryobiology, cryopreservation or vitrification of cells and tissues, chemical and physical aspects of freezing and drying, and studies involving ecology of cold environments, and cold adaptation

    The journal publishes original research reports, authoritative reviews, technical developments and commissioned book reviews of studies of the effects produced by low temperatures on a wide variety of scientific and technical processes, or those involving low temperature techniques in the investigation of physical, chemical, biological and ecological problems.

  • Access Key
  • Free content
  • Partial Free content
  • New content
  • Open access content
  • Partial Open access content
  • Subscribed content
  • Partial Subscribed content
  • Free trial content