Testicular morpho-functional state of immature rats under the effect of gold nanoparticles and ions

Effect of ionic and colloidal gold on the testicular function of immature rats was investigated. It was shown that gold ions promote proliferative processes in the spermatogenic epithelium, and also increase interstitial cells' functional activity. At the same time, gold nanoparticles downregulated testicular endocrine function and slowed down puberty. To sum up, despite of the stimulatory nature of gold, transforming to nanoscale is accompanied by the obtaining of toxic properties.