Effects of fetal exposure to carbon nanoparticles on reproductive function in male offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of fetal nanoparticle exposure on reproductive function in male mice offspring.
DESIGN: Animal study.
SETTING: Academic research laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Forty pregnant ICR mice and 120 male offspring. INTERVENTION(S): Two hundred microg of 14-nm carbon nanoparticles was administered intratracheally on days 7 and 14 of gestation, and reproductive function of male offspring was determined at ages 5, 10, and 15 weeks after birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Maternal and fetal growth, histologic changes in the testes, and daily sperm production (DSP). RESULT(S): Histologic examination showed partial vacuolation of seminiferous tubules. and cellular adhesion of seminiferous epithelia was reduced at all three ages. In addition, DSP was significantly decreased in fetal carbon nanoparticle-exposed mice. The DSP in the fetal carbon nanoparticle-exposed mice decreased by 47% at the age of 5 weeks, by 34% at the age of 10 weeks, and by 32% at the age of 15 weeks. On the other hand, nanoparticle administration had no marked effect on body weight, testicle weight, epididymis weight, or serum testosterone concentration. CONCLUSION(S): These findings suggest that fetal nanoparticle exposure affects the reproductive function of male offspring. In the future, it would be necessary to clarify the onset mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced male reproductive disorders. Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.