The Effects of Seven-Day Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles on Fertility and Homeostasis of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are found in open waters, but the effect of their low concentrations on an organism’s homeostasis is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to determine the short-term exposure effects of AgNPs coated by PvP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) on the homeostasis of livers and gonads in zebrafish. Sexually mature zebrafish were exposed for seven days to silver ions (0.01 mg/dm3) or AgNPs (0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0 mg/dm3). On the last day, the liver, testes, and ovaries were subjected to a histology analysis. In the liver, we analyzed the expression of the cat, gpx1a, gsr, sod1, and cyp1a genes. On the last day of the experiment, the lowest survival rate was found in the AgNPs 0.05 mg/dm3 group. The histological analysis showed that AgNPs and silver ions cause an increase in the area of hepatocytes. The highest proliferation index of hepatocytes was found in the AgNP 0.05 mg/dm3 group. Furthermore, AgNPs were found to interfere with spermatogenesis and oogonesis as well as reduce the expression levels of the cat, gpx1a, and sod1 genes in the liver compared with the control group. Based on the results, it can be concluded that exposure to AgNPs causes cytotoxic changes in zebrafish, activates the immune system, negatively affects the process of meiosis in the gonads, and generates oxidative stress.

Silver and Copper Nanoparticles as the New Biocidal Agents Used in Pre- and Post-Milking Disinfectants with the Addition of Cosmetic Substrates in Dairy Cows

“…One of the biggest concerns in case of nanoparticles is their persistence in the environment. The toxic influence of AgNPs and CuNPs is mainly observed in water environments [ 12 ]; however, some researchers point out that CuNPs are more toxic than AgNPs [ 13 ]. The exposure to NPs can cause several negative changes in the aquatic organisms, e.g., increased oxidative stress, reproductive disorders or impairing activity of the immune system [ 12 ].…”

“…The toxic influence of AgNPs and CuNPs is mainly observed in water environments [ 12 ]; however, some researchers point out that CuNPs are more toxic than AgNPs [ 13 ]. The exposure to NPs can cause several negative changes in the aquatic organisms, e.g., increased oxidative stress, reproductive disorders or impairing activity of the immune system [ 12 ]. On the other hand, there are several experiments proving that the effect of NPs on living organisms can be beneficial.…”

Beneficios Potenciales de la Nanotecnología Para una Producción Animal Más Eficiente

“…Las NPs absorbidas, gracias a la reactividad ultra alta en comparación con los materiales a granel en tamaño microescala, alteran la homeostasis del cuerpo como resultado de la interacción con moléculas biológicas como el ADN, los lípidos y las proteínas; además, pueden interferir con el funcionamiento de las células, órganos y sistemas fisiológicos, lo que conduce a graves disfunciones patológicas. Szudrowicz, et al (2022) estudiaron el efecto a corto plazo de NPsAg recubiertas con polyvinylpyrrolidone (PvP) en peces cebra (Danio rerio) sexualmente maduros, lo cuales fueron expuestos durante siete días a iones de plata (0.01 mg/dm 3 ) o NPsAg (0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0 mg/dm 3 ). El último día, el hígado, los testículos y los ovarios se sometieron a un análisis histológico, el cual mostró que las NPsAg y los iones de plata provocan un aumento del área de los hepatocitos.…”

The Positive Effects of In Vivo/In Vitro Suplementation of Nanoparticles on Semen

“…Studies investigating nano-toxicity in various species of female fish have indicated that silver (Ag) nanoparticles can inhibit the release of steroid hormones from ovarian cells of Oryzias melastigma (Degger, Anna et al 2015). Ag nanoparticles were also found to affect meiosis and cause oxidative stress in Zebrafish gonads (Szudrowicz, Kamaszewski et al 2022). In a study conducted on zebrafish, Dayal, Thakur et al (2016) stated that gold nanoparticles cause damage to the ovarian structure.…”