TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of maternal inhalation of carbon black nanoparticles on reproductive and fertility parameters in a four-generation study of male mice

AU - Skovmand, Astrid

AU - Jensen, Alexander C. Ø.

AU - Maurice, Clotilde

AU - Marchetti, Francesco

AU - Lauvås, Anna J.

AU - Koponen, Ismo K.

AU - Jensen, Keld A.

AU - Goericke-Pesch, Sandra

AU - Vogel, Ulla

AU - Hougaard, Karin S.

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - BackgroundPrevious findings indicate that in utero exposure to nanoparticles may affect the reproductive system in male offspring. Effects such as decreased sperm counts and testicular structural changes in F1 males have been reported following maternal airway exposure to carbon black during gestation. In addition, a previous study in our laboratory suggested that the effects of in utero exposure of nanoparticles may span further than the first generation, as sperm content per gram of testis was significantly lowered in F2 males. In the present study we assessed male fertility parameters following in utero inhalation exposure to carbon black in four generations of mice.ResultsFilter measurements demonstrated that the time-mated females were exposed to a mean total suspended particle mass concentration of 4.79 ± 1.86 or 33.87 ± 14.77 mg/m3 for the low and high exposure, respectively. The control exposure was below the detection limit (LOD 0.08 mg/m3). Exposure did not affect gestation and litter parameters in any generation. No significant changes were observed in body and reproductive organ weights, epididymal sperm parameters, daily sperm production, plasma testosterone or fertility.ConclusionIn utero exposure to carbon black nanoparticles, at occupationally relevant exposure levels, via maternal whole body inhalation did not affect male-specific reproductive, fertility and litter parameters in four generations of mice.

AB - BackgroundPrevious findings indicate that in utero exposure to nanoparticles may affect the reproductive system in male offspring. Effects such as decreased sperm counts and testicular structural changes in F1 males have been reported following maternal airway exposure to carbon black during gestation. In addition, a previous study in our laboratory suggested that the effects of in utero exposure of nanoparticles may span further than the first generation, as sperm content per gram of testis was significantly lowered in F2 males. In the present study we assessed male fertility parameters following in utero inhalation exposure to carbon black in four generations of mice.ResultsFilter measurements demonstrated that the time-mated females were exposed to a mean total suspended particle mass concentration of 4.79 ± 1.86 or 33.87 ± 14.77 mg/m3 for the low and high exposure, respectively. The control exposure was below the detection limit (LOD 0.08 mg/m3). Exposure did not affect gestation and litter parameters in any generation. No significant changes were observed in body and reproductive organ weights, epididymal sperm parameters, daily sperm production, plasma testosterone or fertility.ConclusionIn utero exposure to carbon black nanoparticles, at occupationally relevant exposure levels, via maternal whole body inhalation did not affect male-specific reproductive, fertility and litter parameters in four generations of mice.

KW - Computer assisted sperm analysis

KW - Daily sperm production

KW - In utero

KW - Nanoparticles

KW - Reproductive toxicity

KW - Airway exposure

KW - Sperm quality

KW - Testes

U2 - 10.1186/s12989-019-0295-3

DO - 10.1186/s12989-019-0295-3

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30879468

VL - 16

JO - Particle and Fibre Toxicology

JF - Particle and Fibre Toxicology

SN - 1743-8977

M1 - 13

ER -