Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
05:54
Microbead Implantation in the Zebrafish Embryo
Published on: July 30, 2015
12.3K
The Influence of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle Morphology on Embryonic Development in a Zebrafish Exposure Model
Shiuli Pujari-Palmer1, Xi Lu2, Marjam Karlsson Ott3
1Department of Engineering Science, Applied Materials Science, Uppsala University, 75106 Uppsala, Sweden. shiuli.pujaripalmer@maiiadiagnostics.com.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 27, 2017
Summary
Nanoparticle shape significantly impacts fetal development. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (HANP) fiber morphology caused the most severe toxicity and malformations in zebrafish embryos, highlighting the importance of particle shape in nanomaterial safety.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Nanomaterials are widely used across industries, raising concerns about potential adverse effects on fetal development.
- While nanoparticle size, charge, and chemistry are known to influence development, the impact of particle morphology remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (HANP) morphology on early embryological development using a zebrafish model.
Main Methods:
- Four distinct HANP morphologies (dots, rods, sheets, fibers) were synthesized and characterized.
- Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of HANPs (0-100 mg/L).
- Embryo viability and developmental deformities were assessed up to 5 days post-fertilization.
Main Results:
- Exposure to dot and fiber HANPs caused malformations like pericardial edema and axial curvature by 1 day post-fertilization.
- Sheet and long rod HANP exposure led to similar malformations by 3 days post-fertilization.
- Fiber HANPs exhibited the highest toxicity (≤60% mortality), while other morphologies showed minimal to moderate toxicity (≤25%).
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle morphology significantly influences embryological development and toxicity.
- Fiber-shaped HANPs pose a substantial risk to early development.
- Particle morphology must be a critical consideration in the design and safety assessment of nanomaterials for commercial applications.
