Effects of fetal exposure to carbon nanoparticles on reproductive function in male offspring.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of fetal nanoparticle exposure on reproductive function in male mice offspring.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
Academic research laboratory.


METHODS
Forty pregnant ICR mice and 120 male offspring.


METHODS
Two hundred microg of 14-nm carbon nanoparticles was administered intratracheally on days 7 and 14 of gestation, and reproductive function of male offspring was determined at ages 5, 10, and 15 weeks after birth.


METHODS
Maternal and fetal growth, histologic changes in the testes, and daily sperm production (DSP).


RESULTS
Histologic examination showed partial vacuolation of seminiferous tubules. and cellular adhesion of seminiferous epithelia was reduced at all three ages. In addition, DSP was significantly decreased in fetal carbon nanoparticle-exposed mice. The DSP in the fetal carbon nanoparticle-exposed mice decreased by 47% at the age of 5 weeks, by 34% at the age of 10 weeks, and by 32% at the age of 15 weeks. On the other hand, nanoparticle administration had no marked effect on body weight, testicle weight, epididymis weight, or serum testosterone concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that fetal nanoparticle exposure affects the reproductive function of male offspring. In the future, it would be necessary to clarify the onset mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced male reproductive disorders.
Yoshida
Seiichi
S
Department of Health and Sciences, Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences, 2944-9, Megu-suno, Oita, 870-1201, Japan. syoshida@oita-nhs.ac.jp
Hiyoshi
Kyoko
K
Oshio
Shigeru
S
Takano
Hirohisa
H
Takeda
Ken
K
Ichinose
Takamichi
T
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D002244:Carbon