Effect of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the prenatal development of albino rats.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the developmental toxicity of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) using high doses to maximize the possibility of detecting any potential risk on fetuses. Treatment with SiO2NPs subcutaneously from gestational day 7 to day 20 at the doses 50, 125 or 250 mg/ kg b.wt./day did not alter the numbers of implantation sites or live fetuses. No teratogenicity or embryolethality has been observed at any dose level, although deficits in fetal body weight and skeletal development were noted in the rat treated with the doses 125 and 250 mg/kg b.wt. SiO2NPs - induced maternal toxicity. The maternal toxicity consisted of significant reduction in maternal body weight gain, anemia with elevation in platelet numbers, leukocytosis (increased neutrophils and lymphocytes), splenomegaly and increase in the relative placental weight with varying degrees of inflammation in the basal and labyrinth zones. These results indicate that SiO2NPs are minimally -embryotoxic at maternally -toxic doses.