Exposure to MPA-capped CdTe quantum dots causes reproductive toxicity effects by affecting oogenesis in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Quantum dots (QDs), considered as a type of excellent semiconductor nanomaterial, are widely employed and have a number of important applications. However, QDs have the potential to produce adverse effects and toxicity with the underlying molecular mechanisms not well understood. Herein, Caenorhabditis elegans was used for in vivo toxicity assessment to detect the reproductive toxicity of CdTe QDs. We found that exposure to CdTe QDs particles (≥ 50 mg/L) resulted in a defect in reproductive capacity, dysfunctional proliferation and differentiation, as well as an imbalance in oogenesis by reducing the number of cells in pachytene and diakinesis. Further, we identified a SPO-11 and PCH-2 mediated toxic mechanism and a GLP-1/Notch mediated protective mechanism in response to CdTe QDs particles (≥ 50 mg/L). Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential adverse impact of CdTe QDs (≥ 50 mg/L) exposure on oogenesis and provide valuable data and guidelines for evaluation of QD biocompatibility.