The impact of Nano Carbon dots utilized in Chemical Castration, studied on a rat

Background: Population of animals is mainly controlled via castration routes. Surgical methods are highly invasive, expensive, and need expertise; however, chemical procedures reduce complications, and are cost-effective. Moreover, Carbon dots (CDs) are a category of nanomaterials, which have low toxicity and necessary biomedical applications, and they have not been administered for castration. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of these newly-introduced agents for chemical castration known as carbon dots in a rat model. Methods: Eighty Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control, sham (saline injected group), three experimental groups with intratesticular CDs at ۱.۲۵, ۵۰, and ۲۰۰ µg/kg, along with a surgical castration group. Parameters that were measured included testosterone levels, sperm quality (motility, viability, concentration, DNA damage, morphology), oxidative stress markers. Results: High-dose CDs (۲۰۰ µg/kg) significantly depleted testosterone levels to amounts comparable with surgical castration. Sperm concentration, motility, viability, and plasma membrane functionality were highly reduced, whereas DNA fragmentation and morphological abnormalities increased. Oxidative stress markers MDA and NO were uplifted, nonetheless antioxidant particles reduced in amount. Conclusion: Carbon dots were able to incapacitate spermatogenesis, lower testosterone levels, lead to apoptosis, and eventually induce chemical castration in male rats in an effective way. Although CDs are a favorable, less invasive, and efficient alternative to surgical castration method, with future implementations in controlling animal population, further observations are essential to confirm their long-term safety and efficacy when employed in other species.

کلیدواژه ها:

Castration ، Carbon dots ، Chemical ، Nanodots ، rat