Mice Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles during Pregnancy Show DepressionRelated Reactions

Abstract

Even while research on silver nanoparticles is growing, it is still unclear how they work, particularly in terms of their potential toxicity to the process of reproduction, development, and behavior of offspring. Thus, the current research evaluated the impact of exposure to silver nanoparticles during pregnancy on the depressive behavior of children. Thirty virgin female mice were split into three groups (n = 10 for each group): two experimental groups and one control group. Each group received an equivalent volume (0.2 ml) of suspension containing 0, 0.2, and 2 mg/kg of silver nanoparticles, respectively. The suspension was administered upon mating and repeated every three days till accouchement. Tail suspension and forced swimming tests were used to measure depression behaviors in 45-day-old male and female offspring (6 groups, n=10). In the forced swimming test, both doses of silver nanoparticles (0.2 and 2 mg/kg) reduced mobility and increased immobility time in men (P<0.05), while no effects were seen in females. In the tail suspension test, 2 mg/kg of silver nanoparticles caused the female offspring's mobility time to decrease (P<0.05) and their immobility time to rise (P<0.05), but there was no discernible impact on the male offspring's mobility or immobility time. We may infer that gender-specific depression-like behaviors in children are likely caused by prenatal exposure to silver nanoparticles, presumably due to neurotoxic effects during neuronal development.