Pathological Alterations Induced by Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles in Pregnant Mice and Their Embryos

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nickel oxide nanoparticles on pregnant mice and fetal development. Nickel oxide nanoparticles (<50 nm) were injected intraperitoneally (1, 10, 20 mg/kg) in pregnant mice daily from the 7th -18th gestation day. At the 18th gestation day, the mice were euthanized, necropsied, and pathological examination of the mice and their embryos was done. Exposure to the nickel nanoparticles induced an increase (low and medium doses) and a decrease (high dose) in the activity of the mice. Abortion was recorded at the rates 10%, 20%, and 30% in groups treated with doses of 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Fetal malformations were noted at rates of 60%, 70%, and 75%, for the doses 1, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively. They included arrested growth, absence of the extremities, C-shaped fetuses, anencephalon, myelocele, exophthalmia, spina bifida, absence of facial details, absence or deformities of the tail, micromelia, cyanotic skin, abdominal hemorrhages, and meningocele. Microscopically, degenerative, necrotic, circulatory, and inflammatory lesions in the kidneys, liver, lungs, brain, and heart were noted in pregnant mice. In the embryos, there was incomplete growth of the renal, nervous, and pulmonary tissues. Additionally, there were degenerative, necrotic, and circulatory changes in the kidneys, liver, brain, lungs and heart. It was concluded that exposure to intraperitoneally administered nickel oxide nanoparticles (<50 nm) induces abortion and toxic lesions in the kidneys, liver, brain, lungs and heart of pregnant mice; and fetal malformations and pathological lesions in the embryos.