Histological Changes and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Testes of Adult Rats Exposed to Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 173–184

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000182

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Histological Changes and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Testes of Adult Rats Exposed to Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Names of Authors: Ahmed M. Al-Ghamdi¹, Youssef S. Ramadan²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; ²Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract:
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are widely utilized as whitening agents in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, yet their reproductive safety remains controversial. This study evaluated the structural damage and oxidative stress within the testicular tissues of Wistar rats following sub-chronic oral exposure to food-grade TiO2-NPs. Thirty-cc adult male rats were divided into three equal groups (n = 12). Group I received distilled water; Groups II and III received 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight of TiO2-NPs daily via oral gavage for 60 consecutive days. Serum testosterone levels were quantified, and right testes were processed for histological assessment using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Left testes were homogenized to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The 100 mg/kg group showed a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels (2.14 ± 0.32 ng/mL vs 5.68 ± 0.45 ng/mL in controls, p < 0.01). Histological sections from treated rats revealed severe disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium, loss of spermatogenic cells, and detachment of the basement membrane. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter decreased significantly by 22.4% (p < 0.01). Biochemical analysis revealed a 2.4-fold increase in MDA concentration, coupled with a 45.1% reduction in SOD activity. These data suggest that sub-chronic exposure to food-grade TiO2-NPs triggers severe testicular microstructure degeneration, driven by elevated oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant pathways.

Keywords: Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles, Testicular Histology, Spermatogenesis, Oxidative Stress, Testosterone, Wistar Rats

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 28, 2026; Revised: August 10, 2026; Accepted: August 25, 2026; Published: September 09, 2026

Citation: Al-Ghamdi M.M., & Ramadan Y.S. (2026). Histological Changes and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Testes of Adult Rats Exposed to Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 173–184. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000182

Subscribe to read the full article: https://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read