Prenatal exposure to nanosized zinc oxide in rats: neurotoxicity and postnatal impaired learning and memory ability.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the neurotoxicity of prenatal exposure to ZnO nanoparticles on rat offspring.


METHODS
Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by gavage. Toxicity was assessed including zinc biodistribution, cerebral histopathology, antioxidant status and learning and memory capability.


RESULTS
A significantly elevated concentration of zinc was detected in offspring brains. Transmission electron microscope observations showed abnormal neuron ultrastructures. Histopathologic changes such as decreased proliferation and higher apoptotic death were observed. An obvious imbalanced antioxidant status occurred in brains. Adult experimental offspring exhibited impaired learning and memory behavior in the Morris water maze test compared with control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These adverse effects on offspring brain may cause impaired learning and memory capabilities in adulthood, particularly in female rats.
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Feng
F
Xiaoli
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Wu
W
Junrong
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Lai
L
Xuan
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Zhang
Z
Yanli
School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China.
Wei
W
Limin
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Liu
L
Jia
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Shao
S
Longquan
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007858:Learning; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008568:Memory; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010316:Particle Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
D000975:Antioxidants; D015034:Zinc Oxide
ZnO nanoparticles; learning and memory; neurotoxicity; oxidative stress; prenatal exposure