Induction of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and ultrastructure alterations by silver nanoparticles attributing to placental transfer in pregnant rats and fetuses.

A quantitative assessment of the genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) ascribed to its transplacental transfer and tissue distribution in pregnant rats was carried out in this study. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of AgNPs with a size range from 4.0 to 17.0 nm was administered to pregnant rats at a dose of 2 mg/kg b.w. on the 19th day of gestation. Five groups beside control, each of the five rats were euthanized after 10 min, 1, 6, 12, or 24 h, respectively. The accumulation of nanoparticles (NPs) in mother and fetal tissues was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, where the highest accumulation level was recorded in maternal blood (0.523 µg/ml) after 24 h of administration. AgNPs induced accumulation in spleen tissue higher than placenta and fetal tissue homogenates. The data showed significantly detected levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in all collected samples from administered animals compared with untreated individuals. Level of 8-OHdG in amniotic fluid exhibited the greatest values followed by maternal spleen, kidneys, and liver, respectively. Investigation by transmission electron microscope showed that the transfer of AgNPs through placental wall caused indentation of nuclei, clumped chromatin, pyknotic nuclei, and focal necrotic areas, while AgNPs appeared mainly accumulated in the macrophages of the spleen. Therefore, the data assume that the genotoxicity studies of AgNPs must be recommended during a comprehensive assessment of the safety of novel types of NPs and nanomaterials. Additionally, exposure to AgNPs must be prevented or minimized during pregnancy or prenatal periods.