Effects of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the survival and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) and their elimination from this benthic aquatic snail

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) coated with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) stabilizer on the survival and reproduction of the aquatic snail Biomphalaria glabrata. The cumulative means of egg masses and eggs per individual in the control group at the end of 4 weeks were 18.8 and 326.7, respectively. These values at the concentration of 1 mg/L were 17.2 and 291.6; at 10 mg/L, they were 19.6 and 334.4 ,and at 100 mg/L, they were 14.3 and 311.1. Results showed no significant differences between the tested and the control groups at the level of p < 0.05. Exposure of embryos for 10 days showed absence of mortality, malformation, or hatching delay. X-ray microtomography confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in exposed individuals and showed the complete elimination of the nanoparticles after 30 days in clean water. In the studied conditions, it is clear that γ-Fe2O3 coated with stabilizing DMSA did not alter the fecundity or the fertility of the snail B. glabrata after 4 weeks of exposure, and accumulation was not present after 30 days in clean water.

X-ray computed tomography in life sciences

“…Regarding concerns over toxicity [63,64], many studies report that gold nanoparticles are not detrimental to the functionality of the therapeutic cell, as observed in mesenchymal stem cells, human T cells, A-431 human squamous carcinoma cells and monocytes, among others [65][66][67]. The ecotoxicology of nanoparticles has also been considered by observing their uptake and expulsion over time in B. glabrata freshwater snails [68].…”

New Insights into the Gametogenesis of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata): Implications for Histopathological Assessment

“…A lot of research has used the snail as a biomonitor in ecotoxicological risk assessments due to its high sensibility to several aquatic pollutants [8,[11][12][13][14][15]. Also, invertebrates make up most of the fauna in aquatic environments [17] and may be used to assess the mode of action (MoA) and ecotoxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) [10,[18][19][20]. The EDCs can decrease the reproduction, fertility, fecundity, hatching ratio, alter the synthesis and metabolism of hormones or their receptors, change the behavior and development, or induce histopathological alterations in the snail gonads [21][22][23][24][25].…”

Effects of AgNPs on the Snail Biomphalaria glabrata: Survival, Reproduction and Silver Accumulation

“…However, in a study with the terrestrial snail, Achatina fulica, based on their modeling, Chen et al [34] affirmed that dietary uptake is the dominant route for Ag accumulation in the case of AgNP exposure under most circumstances. Evaluating the accumulation of γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, Oliveira-Filho et al [13] observed that the intestine of B. glabrata snails was full of the material after 30 days of exposure, without a significant effect on survival or reproduction. On the other hand, as indicated by Oliveira-Filho et al [35] and Oliveira-Filho et al [36], special attention should be given to possible predators of snails, which may have other forms of metabolism and effectively accumulate the metal.…”

“…The investigation involved recording lethality and the laying of eggs and egg clutches for 4 consecutive weeks. After this time, three snails were removed from each treatment, and the remaining snails stayed in reconstituted water without AgNPs until 15 and 35 days after the end of the experiment, for the quantification of silver in the snails’ body, as proposed by Oliveira-Filho et al [13].…”