Low-dose gold nanoparticles exert subtle endocrine-modulating effects on the ovarian steroidogenic pathway ex vivo independent of oxidative stress

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Nanotoxicology, 8(8):856-66

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/17435390.2013.837208· OSTI ID:1166850

Larson, Jeremy K.; Carvan, Michael J.; Teeguarden, Justin G.; Watanabe, Gen; Taya, Kazuyoshi; Krystofiak, Evan; Hutz, Reinhold J.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have gained considerable attention for application in science and industry. However, the untoward effects of such particles on female fertility remain unclear. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the effects of 10-nm GNPs on progesterone and estradiol-17b accumulation by rat ovaries ex vivo and (2) to identify the locus/loci whereby GNPs modulate steroidogenesis via multiple-reference gene quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Regression analyses indicated a positive relationship between both Star (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.278) and Cyp11a1 (p < 0.001, r2 = 0.366) expression and P4 accumulation. upon exposure to 1.43 * 106 GNPs/mL. Additional analyses showed that E2 accumulation was positively associated with Hsd3b1 (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.181) and Cyp17a1 (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.301) expression upon exposure to 1.43 * 13 and 1.43 * 109 GNPs/mL, respectively. These results suggest a subtle treatmentdependent impact of low-dose GNPs on the relationship between progesterone or estradiol-17b and specific steroidogenic target genes, independent of oxidative stress or inhibin.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1166850
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-101177; 400412000
• Journal Information: Nanotoxicology, 8(8):856-66, Journal Name: Nanotoxicology, 8(8):856-66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English