Reproductive and developmental effects of nanomaterials

Abstract

Reproductive and developmental toxicity are among the most important factors for evaluating the safety of chemical substances. Some critical organs for reproduction are protected by biological barriers: the fetus is protected by the blood-placental barrier and the testes by the blood-testis barrier. The small size of nanomaterials affords them unique biodistribution characteristics and thus biological effects that differ from those of larger materials. Their small size might allow nanoparticles to penetrate barriers and cause unexpected reproductive and developmental toxicity. In this chapter, the reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanomaterials, including biodistribution within and biological effects on reproductive tissues, fetuses, and offspring, are reviewed. Investigations show that nanomaterials can penetrate biological barriers and can be distributed to the ovaries, testes, and fetuses of rodents. Nanomaterials thus have the potential to affect both male and female reproductive functions. Maternal exposure to nanomaterials during gestation or lactation could also adversely affect the fetus or offspring. This review compiles current knowledge and highlights remaining open questions in evaluating the reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanomaterials.