Administration of silver nanoparticles affects ovarian steroidogenesis and may influence thyroid hormone metabolism in hens (Gallus domesticus)

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Małgorzata Grzesiak¹  Dorota Katarzyńska-Banasik²  Andrzej Sechman²  Kinga Kowalik³ 

[1]Corresponding author.

[2]Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

[3]Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Krakow, Poland

关键词: Silver nanoparticles;    Steroidogenesis;    Thyroid hormones;    Sex steroids;    Chicken;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study aimed to determine the in vivo effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the concentration of sex steroids (progesterone – P4, estradiol – E2, testosterone – T) and thyroid hormones (thyroxine – T4, triiodothyronine – T3) in the blood plasma as well as the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of HSD3β, CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes and steroid hormone concentrations in chicken ovarian follicles. AgNPs did not affect serum steroid hormone levels, but increased T3 levels depending on the size and concentration of AgNPs. At the level of ovarian tissues, AgNPs: (i) affected the levels of E2 and T in prehierachical follicles; (ii) reduced the expression of CYP19A1 mRNA and protein and consequently diminished E2 concentration in small white follicles; and (iii) increased the expression of CYP17A1 mRNA in large white follicles, without changing its protein expression. The results indicate that AgNPs affect chicken ovarian steroidogenesis. The effects of AgNPs depend on exposure time, the type of follicle and the degree of its development and are associated with the modulation of steroidogenic gene expression and E2 and T synthesis. Prehierachical follicles seem to be more susceptible to AgNPs than preovulatory ones. In conclusion, AgNPs by targeting the chicken ovary may indirectly influence the selection processes of prehierarchical follicles to the pre-ovulatory hierarchy and disturb the ovarian steroidogenesis. Furthermore, AgNPs may affect thyroid hormone metabolism in different ways by size which in turn may influence energy homeostasis of the target cells.

【 授权许可】

Unknown