Multigenerational Study of Gold Nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans: Transgenerational Effect of Maternal Exposure

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 47; no. 10; pp. 5393 - 5399
• Main Authors: Kim, Shin Woong, Kwak, Jin Il, An, Youn-Joo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 21.05.2013
• Subjects: Animal reproduction; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Caenorhabditis elegans - drug effects; Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology; Cells; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Female; Food; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Generations; Gold; Gold - chemistry; Maternal Exposure; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanoparticles; Nematodes; Survival analysis; Worms; Trace element; Caenorhabditis elegans; Gold; Nanoparticle; Helmintha; Nemathelminthia; Invertebrata; Nematoda; Nanostructured materials; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es304511z

In this study, the generational transfer and multigenerational effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated by observing the parental generation (F0) to the fourth offspring generation (F4) using food-exposure approaches. There were no significant changes on survival rate under all generations by AuNP maternal exposure to the F0 generation. However, reproduction rate was clearly affected in the F2 generation but then gradually recovered in the F3 and F4 generations. The abnormalities of the reproductive system showed a close relationship with reproduction rates. These phenomenons may be due to the germ-line transfer. The germ line of F0 generation such as gonad and embryo germ cell may be affected during their development by maternal exposure of AuNPs, and this generation caused transgeneration effect on future generations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide the evidence of transgenerational effects by maternal exposure of nanoparticles to the next generations.