Dose-dependent effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on fertility and survival of Drosophila: An in-vivo study

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) containing consumer products have been proliferating in the market due to its unique antimicrobial property, however, lack of in-depth knowledge about their potential effect on human health in a longer run is of great concern. Therefore, we investigated dose-dependent in vivo effect of AgNPs using Drosophila as a model system. Drosophila, a genetically tractable organism with distinct developmental stages, short life cycle and significant homology with human serves as an ideal organism to study nanomaterial-mediated toxicity. Our studies suggest that ingestion of AgNPs in Drosophila during adult stage for short and long duration significantly affects egg laying capability along with impaired growth of ovary. Additionally, dietary intake of AgNPs from larval stage has more deleterious effects that result in reduced survival, longevity, ovary size and egg laying capability at a further lower dosage. Interestingly, the trans-generational effect of AgNPs was also observed without feeding progeny with AgNPs, thereby suggesting its impact from previous generation. Our results strongly imply that higher doses of AgNPs and its administration early during development is detrimental to the reproductive health and survival of Drosophila that follows in generations to come without feeding them to AgNPs.

Synthesis of non-toxic, biocompatible, and colloidal stable silver nanoparticle using egg-white protein as capping and reducing agents for sustainable antibacterial application

“…On the basis of these ndings, it was demonstrated that the concentration range from 10 to 100 mg L À1 of AgNPs-EW did not cause any signicant acute and chronic toxic effects on the reproductive traits, namely the fecundity, hatchability, viability, duration of development, and pigmentation of Drosophila. We compared these ndings with previously reported AgNPs toxicity studies on Drosophila and summarize the results in Table 2, [58][59][60][61][62] which clearly shows that AgNPs toxicity is based on the capping agents used for nanoparticles synthesis, size, and dose. Based on our literature study, we understand that this is the rst report of AgNPs-EW having no acute and chronic toxicity effects on Drosophila at the maximum concentration, which is 100 mg L À1 .…”

Health Impact of Silver Nanoparticles: A Review of the Biodistribution and Toxicity Following Various Routes of Exposure

“…The authors showed that while pristine AgNPs caused a significant reduction in the mean number of offspring compared with the control, the waste water-borne AgNPs had no effects on reproduction in any generation. Raj et al [213] investigated impact of ingested AgNPs (20-100 nm) on the adult and larval stages of Drosophila. Their results demonstrated a significant reduction of survival, longevity, ovary size, and egg laying capability in flies fed with AgNPs compared with a control [213].…”

“…Raj et al [213] investigated impact of ingested AgNPs (20-100 nm) on the adult and larval stages of Drosophila. Their results demonstrated a significant reduction of survival, longevity, ovary size, and egg laying capability in flies fed with AgNPs compared with a control [213]. The latter effects persisted in the next generation without AgNP feeding, thereby suggesting the transgenerational effects of AgNPs.…”

Silver Nanoparticles against Foodborne Bacteria. Effects at Intestinal Level and Health Limitations

“…Reproductive toxicity was also evaluated in this model. It was observed that exposure of adult specimens to Ag-NPs significantly affected the ability to lay eggs along with a deteriorated ovarian growth [121,122]. In a study of acute and chronic exposure, it was observed that the effect of a solution of Ag-NPs at a concentration of 20 ug/mL 50% of the larvae did not end their development cycle.…”