Investigating the Effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) on the Level of Testosterone Hormone Secretion in Male Rats under Weightlessness Condition

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Erfan Motalebzadeh ¹ , Nasim Hayati Roudbari ² , Maryam Salavatifar ³

1 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Aerospace Physiology, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2022-07-16 Accepted : 2022-09-10 Published : 2023-02-20

Keywords: Testosterone, Rat, Weightlessness, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube,

Abstract :

Considering the progress of science and space exploration and the importance of maintaining the health of astronauts both during the space mission and after returning to earth after carrying out space research, investigating the effects of weightlessness on the hormone testosterone and maintaining the fertility of astronauts is very important. is On the other hand, due to the use of carbon nanotubes in the spaceship equipment sector as well as protective shields, astronauts will be exposed to high concentrations of this nanomaterial, hence the investigation of the effects of this nanomaterial on the testosterone level of male astronauts in the conditions Weightlessness is very important in order to maintain their reproductive power. In this research, 30 male rats were used. The animals were randomly divided into five groups of six including control, sham and three experimental groups. The control group received normal food and water for 30 days. The sham group was placed in weightless conditions (in a weightless cage) for 30 days. Experimental group 1 received 20 mg/kg of multi-walled carbon nanotube intraperitoneally for 30 days. Experimental group 2 was placed in a weightless cage for 30 days and received 20 mg/kg of multi-walled carbon nanotube intraperitoneally. Experimental group 3 received 3 cc of solution (2.5 cc of water, 0.5 cc of tween) intraperitoneally for 30 days. The results showed that in the sham group and experimental groups 1 and 2, weight loss was observed. In the examination of blood serum samples, the level of testosterone had decreased significantly. Exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes in weightless conditions causes a significant decrease in the amount of testosterone hormone.

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