Publication:

Resumption of meiotic maturation of oocytes, pre- and post-implantation mortality of embryos under ten-time intravenous treatment of silver nanoparticles in mice

Background In recent years the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) has increased significantly being focused on assessing human health and environmental risks of nanotechnology.

Methods Research (two series) has been done on white laboratory mice. One dose (20 mg/kg) has been investigated. Frequency of treatment: one time per day for 10 times. Material for the study (ovaries, tubes and uterus) was taken under anesthetic anesthesia on the 10/11th, 21/22nd, 33/34th, 42/43rd days (after the last treatment). Oocyte meiotic maturation, pre- and post-implantation mortality of embryos under ten-time intravenous treatment of AgNP were investigation.

Results Under the ten-time treatment of AgNPs, the inhibition of reproductive function in female mice occurs: a decrease in the number and quality of ovarian oocytes; after male mice were planted, the females do not get pregnant to 21/22 day. The reproductive function in experimental animals is restored on the 40th day after the last treatment with AgNPs; there is no differences between the values of pre- and post-implantation mortality of embryos on the 33/34th day after male mice were planted; in one of the three experimental animals, 7 live pups were born on the 42/43rd day after the male was planted (in animals of the control group during this period: twice (6 ± 1 (n = 6) live pups).

Conclusions In mice females, under a ten-time treatment of AgNPs, the inhibition of reproductive function takes place; with the termination of the AgNPs treatment, the reproductive function is restored.