The influence of gold nanoparticles of different diameter on the prenatal development of white rats

The effect of different diameter gold nanoparticles on the prenatal morphogenesis of white rats was studied. Gold nanoparticles 5, 10, 30, 50 and 150 nm in diameter covered with polyethylene glycol were administered intravenously to pregnant female white rats on the 15th gestation day at a dose of 2.0 ml per kg of animal weight (an average of 0.5-0.7 ml per animal ) in the form of a suspension (concentration of 57 pg gold per ml, an average of 28-40 pg per animal). The presence of gold nanoparticles in tissues was visualized by the method of autometallography with silver nitrate, and the total gold content in the fetuses was estimated by atomic adsorption spectroscopy. The permeability of the hemochoric barrier for particles with diameters of 5, 10, 30, and 50 nm was established. Macro- and microscopic analyzes of fetuses and newborn rats indicate the absence of morphogenetic, teratogenic and embryo-lethal effects when administered single-fold to pregnant rats at parenteral doses of 114 mcg / kg / day during late organogenesis. The obtained data testify to the prospects of using gold nanoparticles up to 150 nm in diameter for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (thernostics) during pregnancy.