title: Internalization of silver nanoparticles into mouse spermatozoa results in poor fertilization and compromised embryo development.
abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have many features that make them attractive as medical devices, especially in therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems. Here we have introduced AgNPs into mouse spermatozoa and then determined the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs on sperm function and subsequent embryo development. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed that AgNPs could be internalized into sperm cells. Furthermore, exposure to AgNPs inhibited sperm viability and the acrosome reaction in a dose-dependent manner, whereas sperm mitochondrial copy numbers, morphological abnormalities, and mortality due to reactive oxygen species were significantly increased. Likewise, sperm abnormalities due to AgNPs internalization significantly decreased the rate of oocyte fertilization and blastocyst formation. Blastocysts obtained from AgNPs-treated spermatozoa showed lower expression of trophectoderm-associated and pluripotent marker genes. Overall, we propose that AgNPs internalization into spermatozoa may alter sperm physiology, leading to poor fertilization and embryonic development. Such AgNPs-induced reprotoxicity may be a valuable tool as models for testing the safety and applicability of medical devices using AgNPs.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea [2] Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Ton
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoisungnern
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Joydeep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sangiliyandi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gurunathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Deug-Nam
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ssang-Goo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chankyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won Kyung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetology, Hanseo University, Seosan, Chungnam 356-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Rangsun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parnpai
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology/Animal Resources Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Hoi
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology; D002470:Cell Survival; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D018628:Gene Dosage / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D005819:Genetic Markers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012834:Silver