Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TDN) are widely used in paints, plastics, ceramics, cosmetics, printing ink, rubber and paper. Tiron is a water soluble metal chelator and antioxidant. This study was designed to investigate the reproductive and genotoxic effects of TDN in male albino rats and the therapeutic role of Tiron against such toxic effects. Eighty adult male albino rats were used in this study, they were divided into 4 equal groups, group 1: control; group 2: received TDN at 100 mg/kg/day orally for 8 weeks; group 3: received Tiron at 470 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 2 weeks (the last 2 weeks of experimental period); group 4: received both TDN and Tiron by the same previously mentioned dose, route and duration. The results revealed that TDN affected male reproductive system as evidenced by marked reduction in relative sex organ (Testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland) weights; sperm{u2019}s motility; concentration and viability percentage. Increased incidences of sperm morphological abnormalities (deformed head, detached head, curved tail and coiled tail) were also observed. Serum testosterone level was also significantly decreased. In addition, TDN exposure induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation as indicated by significant increase in MDA level and reduction in glutathione content and catalase activity both in blood and testis

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