THE EFFECT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES (AGNPS) ON THE LIVER ENZYMES OF PREGNANT MICE (MUS MUSCULUS) AND THE DEFORMATION OF THEIR FETUSES

Abstract

Exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) causes accumulation in various organs of the body, including the liver and kidney, with potentially negative physiological and histological effects. This study aims to determine the toxicity of AgNPs on some liver enzyme parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as investigate the fetal malformation in pregnant mice. In this study, 20 pregnant female Swiss albino mice were injected with a solution of silver nanoparticles with diameters of 30 nm and concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg/kg BW AgNPs per day. One week after administration, the level of some liver enzymes was measured. The results of the study showed a significant increase in the activity of liver enzymes in the blood serum. The mice fetal displayed morphological and phenotypic changes such as flatulence, protrusion of the umbilicus and umbilical cord, micromelia of the forelimbs and lack of phalangeals, hind limb enlarged and bent at the knee joint, with posterior end flexed and fused phalanges visible, aquiline tail, and the appearance of folds in the skin. The highest percentage of deformities were observed at the 0.6 mg/kg concentration, including the fetus's small size, trunk curvature with swelling of the navel, torsion tail, congestion of the abdomen and flank with swelling of the abdomen, and the observation of the bending of the forelimbs at the elbow, the sagging of the ear, swelling in the face, the upper lip being cleft, and atrophy of the optic follicle, the short lower jaw with the femoral epiphysis, and foot enlargement. According to the results, the consumption of AgNPs has a negative impact on liver enzymes and physiological parameters in the blood, as well as on pregnant mice fetuses.