Investigating the effects of functionalized carbon nanotubes on reproduction and development in Drosophila melanogaster and CD-1 mice

Despite numerous applications for functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) in consumer products, such as electronics, and food packaging, as well as their development as drug delivery vehicles, the consequence of their uptake by living systems has been understudied. In particular, the impact of fCNTs on early development of different species is largely unknown. Here we investigated the effect of ingested hydroxyl-fCNTs on reproduction and development in two model organisms: Drosophila and CD-1 mice. While fCNTs had no measurable impact on Drosophila, a single oral dose of fCNTs (10 mg/kg) administered to pregnant CD-1 dams during organogenesis significantly increased the number of resorptions and resulted in fetal morphological and skeletal abnormalities. The observed difference between the responses of these two models likely reflects their physiology and/or differences in administration. This research underscores the need to examine the effects of fCNTs on reproductive health and development before the opportunities for maternal exposure by fCNTs increase further.

► Carbon nanotubes (CN) are sheets of carbon rolled into tubes with diameters in the nanometer range.
► These nanotubes can be functionalized (f) to alter their structure.
► We examine the effect of fCNTs on reproduction in Drosophila and development in CD-1 mice.
► fCNTs had no effect in Drosophila.
► fCNTs (10 mg/kg) increased the number of resorptions and caused teratogenicity in CD-1 mice.