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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
06:29
Salinity-dependent Toxicity Assay of Silver Nanocolloids Using Medaka Eggs
Published on: March 18, 2016
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Silver nanoparticles and silver ions indistinguishably decrease sperm motility in Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas)
Fátima Fernández-García1, Ana Carvalhais2, Ana Marques2
1Grupo de Acuicultura y Biodiversidad, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
|June 29, 2023
Summary
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) and silver ions (Ag+) impair Pacific oyster sperm motility. This study suggests Ag NP adhesion to sperm may cause toxicity, raising environmental concerns for oyster reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) are increasingly prevalent in marine ecosystems.
- Understanding their impact on marine invertebrate reproduction is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reprotoxicity of environmental and supra-environmental levels of Ag NP on Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) sperm.
- To differentiate the toxicity of Ag NP from dissolved silver ions (Ag+).
Main Methods:
- Sperm quality assessment including motility, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress.
- Exposure of oysters to various concentrations of Ag NP and Ag+.
- Comparative analysis of Ag NP and Ag+ toxicity.
Main Results:
- Both Ag NP and Ag+ impaired sperm motility without a clear dose-dependent response.
- Neither Ag NP nor Ag+ significantly affected sperm mitochondrial function or induced membrane damage.
- Toxicity mechanisms may involve Ag NP adhesion to sperm membranes and potential blockade of ion channels.
Conclusions:
- Silver nanoparticles pose a potential risk to Pacific oyster reproduction.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of Ag NP toxicity in marine organisms.
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