title: Gold-nanoparticles ingestion disrupts reproduction and development in the German cockroach.
abstract: The present work shows the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) orally administered on reproduction and development of the insect Blattella germanica. Newly emerged females were provided with food containing AuNPs (87.44μg/g) of a size between 15 and 30nm (mean 21.8nm), and were allowed to mate with males. Food ingestion, mortality, reproductive parameters (time to ootheca formation and eclosion, ootheca viability and fertility) as well as postembryonic developmental parameters of the first ootheca (nymphal survival and life span) were recorded throughout the experiment. Gold from AuNPs was accumulated by adults of B. germanica with a bioaccumulation factor of 0.1. Ingestion of AuNPs did not disturb the time for ootheca formation nor ootheca eclosion. However, ootheca viability was decreased almost by 25% in AuNPs treated females in comparison to controls. At the same time the number of hatched nymphs was decreased by 32.8% (p<0.001) in AuNP group respect to control one. The postembryonic developmental parameters were also affected by AuNPs treatment, with a 35.8% of decrease (p<0.01) in number of nymphs that moulted to second and third instars and a reduction of their life span. Ingestion of AuNPs causes sublethal effects in B. germanica that compromises life-traits involved in population dynamics. B. germanica is proposed as a model species in nanotoxicological studies for urban environments.
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: trichards@flavorinfusion.com.
authors.forename: Taika
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ozama@alumni.uv.es.
authors.forename: M Amparo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ochoa-Zapater
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Química Analítica, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: gianga@postal.uv.es.
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gallello
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol), University of Valencia, Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: antonio.ribera@uv.es.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribera
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol), University of Valencia, Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: torrebla@uv.es.
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torreblanca
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: garcera@uv.es.
authors.forename: M Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Garcerá
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020048:Blattellidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D006046:Gold
keywords: Blattella germanica; Fertility; Insects; Life span; Ootheca viability; Pre-reproductive period