Study of the hormonal and histological effects of silver nanoparticles on thyroid, ovary and mammary glands in female rats

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Study of the hormonal and histological

effects of silver nanoparticles on

thyroid, ovary and mammary glands

in female rats

Hiba Ahmed Qassim

2013 – 2014

Abstract

Nanoparticles; are small size particles (≤ 100 nm) , with one or more external

dimensions. Because of their antimicrobial activity and unique physicochemical

properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely incorporated

nanomaterial into many of consumer products, which increase the incidence of

their accumulation within biological systems that may reach toxic levels.

Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the dose and time dependent

effect of AgNPs on body weight, thyroid , ovary and mammary glands in female

rats.

Sixty Sprague-Dawley albino female rats were classified into three main groups

(I,II, and III) , each of 20 rats treated for a particular duration (10, 20 and 30)

days respectively. Each of these group were subdivided into four subgroups each

of five animals treated as follows : group (1) serve as control, groups (2 , 3 and 4)

treated intrapertoneally with increased doses of AgNPs (12.5 , 25 and 50) mg/kg

respectively.

At the end of each treatment duration, animals were weighted , sacrificed and

blood samples were collected by intracardiac puncture to be used for estimation of

serum levels of hormones including (Triiodothyronine ,Thyroxine, ,Thyroidstimulating

hormone, Estrogen, progesterone, Lutinizing hormone, Follicle

stimulating hormone, and Prolactin). Animals then dissected and organs (ovary,

thyroid and mammary glands) were excised, weighed and fixed in 10% of

buffered formalin to be used for histological study