Background: Taxol, with the brand name of paclitaxel, is a chemotherapeutic agent capable of producing reactive oxygen species and disrupting male fertility. Objective: In this study, the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles against the destructive effects of taxol on testicular tissue in adult male NMRI mice was investigated. Materials and Methods: 24 adult male NMRI mice (35 ± 2 gr, 8 wk) were divided into 4 groups (n = 6/each): control, taxol (5 mg/kg), zinc nanoparticles (5 mg/kg) and taxol + zinc nanoparticles and treated for 35 days intraperitoneally. At the end of treatment, after anesthetizing the mice, body and testis weight and tissue parameters with stereological technique and testosterone level were evaluated. Results: A significant decrease in the weight and volume of the testis respectively (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.001), the volume, diameter and height of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001) and the level of testosterone hormone (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in the volume of the interstitial tissue were observed in taxol group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The number of germ cells and spermatogenesis indices in the group treated with taxol showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The simultaneous treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles with taxol significantly reduced the mentioned parameters compared to the taxol group. Conclusion: These findings suggested an antioxidant potential role for zinc oxide nanoparticles in the protection of taxol -induced testicular toxicities.
