Impairment of testis function by titanium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiNP) is manufactured worldwide in large quantities for use in a broad range of applications such as paints, pigments, food coloring agents, pharmaceutical coloring agents, and additives. The SDS of TiNP states "no information" on reproductive toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the biological effects of TiNP. We found that sperm motility and sperm numbers were significantly decreased in TiNP (Aeroxide P25)-treated mice. These results indicate that TiNP possesses the testicular dysfunction. In this symposium, we will explain the testicular dysfunction caused by TiNP and mention the potential availability of “reduced sperm motility” as a biomarker to investigate the biological effects of TiNPs.