Researchers in Japan studied the effects of silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on pregnant mice. While recent studies have shown that nanoparticles can cross the placenta barrier in pregnant mice and cause neurotoxicity in their offspring, the authors say, a more detailed understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on pregnant animals remains elusive. The researchers injected intravenously nanoparticles with diameters of 70 and 35 nanometers into pregnant mice. The nanoparticles were subsequently found in the placenta, fetal liver and fetal brain. The treated mice also had smaller uteri and smaller fetuses than untreated controls. Larger silica particles and fullerene molecules did not induce these complications. According to the authors, “These detrimental effects are linked to structural and functional abnormalities in the placenta on the maternal side, and are abolished when the surfaces of the silica nanoparticles are modified with carboxyl and amine groups.” The abstract, and a link to the full article, can be viewed online at the link below.
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2011.41.html