Background: Arsenic as an environmental contaminant induces male infertility. Curcumin with potent antioxidant property is able to restrict oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on testis tissue and sperm count in adult mice treated with sodium arsenite.

Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, animals were divided into four groups: control, sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg), curcumin (100 mg/kg) and curcumin+sodium arsenite. Treatments were performed by intraperitoneal injection for five weeks. After treatment period, body weight was recorded. Left testis was dissected, weighed and used for the histopathological study of seminiferous tubules. Left cauda epididymis was also used to count sperm number.

Results: Mice treated with sodium arsenite showed a significant decrease in the sperm count, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and a significant increase in the lumen diameter of tubules compared to control group. In curcumin+sodium arsenite group, curcumin significantly reversed the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on testis and sperm count. Whereas, the treated mice showed no significant difference in body and testis weight as well as morphology and nuclear diameter of spermatogonia between four groups.

Conclusion: Curcumin is able to compensate the toxic effect of sodium arsenite on sperm count and testis in adult mouse.

Background: Nanoparticles due to their small size can overcome blood-testis barrier and affect spermatogenesis process. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of trioxide (MoO3) nanoparticles on histological changes of testis and spermatogenesis process in adult male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 30 adult male Wistar rats were randomely divided into five groups (n=6), including control, 2 sham groups, and 2experimental groups. Control group had no treatment. Two experimental groups received doses 5 & 10 mg/kg/BW nano molybdenum trioxide (20nm) respectively, and two sham groups received the same doses of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection. After 28 days, rats testis was removed and fixed in Bouin’s fixative for histological examination. The 5&mum sections were stained with hematoxilin-eosin.

Results: In experimental group which received 5mg/kg/BW nanoparticle, there was some disorganization of spermatogenic cells in some seminiferous tubules. In experimental group which received 10mg/kg/BW nanoparticle, a significant decrease was also observed in the number of spermatogenic and sertoli cells in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study exposure to the high doses of (MoO3) nanoparticles can disrupt male reproductive system in a dose- dependent manner. Hence, the application of (MoO3) NPs should be carried out cautiously.