title: A review of reproductive and developmental toxicity of silver nanoparticles in laboratory animals.
abstract: We summarized significant effects reported in the literature on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in laboratory animals. AgNPs showed testicular/sperm toxicity in males and ovarian and embryonic toxicity in females. Maternal injection of AgNPs delayed physical development and impaired cognitive behavior in offspring. Ag was accumulated in the testes after administration of AgNPs. AgNPs were identified in the visceral yolk sac after administration during early gestation in mice. Radiolabeled AgNPs were detected in placenta, breast milk, and pre- and postnatal offspring after injection during late gestation in rats. Ag in the ionic form, and possibly also particles, was suggested to be bioavailable. Although this review provides initial information on the potential reproductive and developmental toxicity of AgNPs, data is still very limited. Further studies using state-of-the-art methodologies and the relevant routes and doses for human exposure are required.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan. Electronic address: ema-makoto@aist.go.jp.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ema
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Toxicology, Japan Bioassay Research Center (JBRC), 2445 Hirasawa, Hadano, Kanagawa 257-0015, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuda
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan.
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gamo
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012834:Silver / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012834:Silver
keywords: Blood-testis barrier; Developmental neurotoxicity; Developmental toxicity; Nanomaterials; Placental transfer; Reproductive toxicity; Silver nanoparticles; Sperm/testicular toxicity