<p>Silica (SiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles (NPs) are the most abundant NPs used in various applications, such as food, drug delivery, and construction. Due to their extensive usage, they are continuously released into the environment in large quantities. In this direction, investigating the impact of repeated exposure to NPs on environmental organisms is crucial. Therefore, to determine the impact of SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs and their multigenerational toxicity, an established model of nano-ecotoxicology, <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> was employed. First, the impact of SiO<sub>2</sub> (0.2–0.3&#xa0;µm, bulk) and SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs (40&#xa0;nm) exposure on the vital processes namely survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction were determined. Worms showed a concentration-dependent response to SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs exposure, while no impact on exposure to bulk SiO<sub>2</sub>. The transcription factor (<i>daf- 2</i>) and vitellogenin (<i>vit- 2</i> and <i>vit- 6</i>) expression were downregulated, while oxidative stress and germline apoptosis increased in worms exposed to SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs. At environmentally relevant concentrations of SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs caused a significant impact on the reproductive output of worms. To determine the multigenerational impact on reproduction, worms were exposed for 11 generations and found a decline in progeny count across all the generations screened. When the worms were removed from exposure after 6 generations, it took 5 generations to regain their original vitality. This study indicates that exposure to the SiO<sub>2</sub> NPs has a cumulative impact on the reproductive output across generations. Such a decline in the reproductive output in the long term could eventually disturb the ecological balance. Hence, appropriate measures are necessary to manage the presence of NPs in the environment.</p>

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Multigenerational exposure to silica nanoparticles causes severe fertility loss in Caenorhabditis elegans

  • Malur Thirumalesh Vishnu Sathyan,
  • Aruna Satish

摘要

Silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are the most abundant NPs used in various applications, such as food, drug delivery, and construction. Due to their extensive usage, they are continuously released into the environment in large quantities. In this direction, investigating the impact of repeated exposure to NPs on environmental organisms is crucial. Therefore, to determine the impact of SiO2 NPs and their multigenerational toxicity, an established model of nano-ecotoxicology, Caenorhabditis elegans was employed. First, the impact of SiO2 (0.2–0.3 µm, bulk) and SiO2 NPs (40 nm) exposure on the vital processes namely survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction were determined. Worms showed a concentration-dependent response to SiO2 NPs exposure, while no impact on exposure to bulk SiO2. The transcription factor (daf- 2) and vitellogenin (vit- 2 and vit- 6) expression were downregulated, while oxidative stress and germline apoptosis increased in worms exposed to SiO2 NPs. At environmentally relevant concentrations of SiO2 NPs caused a significant impact on the reproductive output of worms. To determine the multigenerational impact on reproduction, worms were exposed for 11 generations and found a decline in progeny count across all the generations screened. When the worms were removed from exposure after 6 generations, it took 5 generations to regain their original vitality. This study indicates that exposure to the SiO2 NPs has a cumulative impact on the reproductive output across generations. Such a decline in the reproductive output in the long term could eventually disturb the ecological balance. Hence, appropriate measures are necessary to manage the presence of NPs in the environment.