The effects of silica nanoparticles on the ultrastructure of testicular tissue in mice.

<p>The silica nanoparticles led to the rupture and even disappearance of the mitochondrial cristae on days 15 and 30 after the first administration of nanoparticles, whereas on day 60 after the first administration of nanoparticles, the mitochondrial structures were better than those on days 15 and 35. The other structures, such as the cell membrane, nuclear membrane and the sperm tail membranes, maintained their integrity on days 15, 35 and 60 after the first administration of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles in spermatogenic cells were encapsulated by organelles in the cytoplasm by day 60 after administering nanoparticles (X). A–X: 15 d control group 6000×(A), 15 d control group30000×(B), 15 d control group 30000×(C), 15 d control group 80000× (D); 15 d Nano-Sio2 group 6000×(E), 15 d Nano-Sio2 group 30000×(F), 15 d Nano-Sio2 group 30000×(G), 15 d Nano-Sio2 group 80000×(H); 35 d control group 6000×(I), 35 d control group 30000×(J), 35 d control group 30000×(K), 35 d control group 80000×(L); 35 d Nano-Sio2 group 6000×(M), 35 d Nano-Sio2 group 30000×(N), 35 d Nano-Sio2 group 30000×(O), 35 d Nano-Sio2 group 80000×(P); 60 d control group 6000×(Q), 60 d control group 30000×(R); 60 d control group 30000×(S), 60 d control group 80000×(T), 60 d Nano-Sio2 group 6000×(U), 60 d Nano-Sio2 group 30000×(V), 60 d Nano-Sio2 80000×(W), 60 d Nano-Sio2 30000×(X). Bidirection black arrow represented cell membrane and nuclear membrane; one-way white arrow represented mitochondrion; one-way black arrow represented sperm tail; elbow shape black arrow represented the cross section of sperm tail; bidirection white arrow represented silica nanoparticle.