A Transfer of Silver Nanoparticles from Pregnant Rat to Offspring

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (size: 7.9 ± 0.95 nm, dosage: 250 mg/kg) were orally administered to pregnant rats. At 4 days after parturition, four pups were randomly selected (one pup from one dam) and silver level in liver, kidney, lung and brain was determined by ICP-MS and electron microscope. As results, silver nanoparticles highly accumulated in the tissues of the pups. Silver level in the treated group was 132.4 ± 43.9 ng/g in the kidney (12.3 fold compared to control group), 37.3 ± 11.3 ng/g in the liver (7.9 fold), 42.0 ± 8.6 ng/g in the lung (5.9 fold), and 31.1 ± 4.3 ng/g in the brain (5.4 fold). This result suggested that the possible transfer of silver nanoparticles from pregnant dams to the fetus through mainly placenta.

Effects of prenatal exposure to silver nanoparticles on spatial cognition and hippocampal neurodevelopment in rats

“…The silver was possibly transferred from the pregnant rats. In a study performed by Lee et al (2012), Ag-NPs (size: 7.970.95 nm) were orally administered to pregnant rats (dosage: 250 mg/kg) and silver was found accumulated in the brain of the offspring (31.17 4.3 ng/g, 5.4 fold as compared to the control). It remained unclear whether Ag-NPs could penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB).…”

“…It's reported that Ag-NPs could be transferred from pregnant rat to offspring (Lee et al, 2012). Earlier study showed that silver could cross the placenta and concentrate in the human fetus, achieving higher concentrations than in the mother (Lyon et al, 2002).…”

Disposition of intravenously or orally administered silver nanoparticles in pregnant rats and the effect on the biochemical profile in urine

“…Silver has been shown to cross the blood brain barrier as well as the cerebrospinal fluid barrier to enter tissues of the central nervous system in animals (Lansdown 2007). Following oral AgNP administration in pregnant rats, silver was found to reach the offspring's brain (Lale Ataei and Ebrahimzadeh-bideskan 2014, Lee, et al 2012, Wu, et al 2015). After prenatal exposure to AgNP, silver was detected in hippocampus tissues of offspring, as was cell apoptosis (Lale Ataei and Ebrahimzadeh-bideskan 2014).…”

Silver nanoparticles: Their potential toxic effects after oral exposure and underlying mechanisms – A review

“…Thus, the authors concluded that repeated ingestion of nano-sized AgNPs may induce organ toxicity and inflammatory responses in mice. Lee et al (2012) observed the transfer of silver from female rats to offspring after oral administration of 250 mg/kg BW /day of 8 nm silver nanoparticles, suggesting that silver crosses the placenta. Yu et al (2014) investigated the potential effects of AgNPs on pregnant rats and embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure on gestational days (GD) 6-19.…”