Nano-toxicity and embryonic development.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is useful for different applications. In particular, in medicine the NPs have the unique opportunity to overcome the cellular barrier and direct molecules to specific targets. To clarify the potential consequences of NPs exposure to human health is essential for the proper development of these nanotechnologies. Indeed due to the small size of NPs, they can be internalized in a not appropriate manner in relation to their physical and chemical properties and the nature of the target cells. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is useful for different applications. In particular, in medicine the NPs have the unique opportunity to overcome the cellular barrier and direct molecules to specific targets. To clarify the potential consequences of NPs exposure to human health is essential for the proper development of these nanotechnologies. Indeed due to the small size of NPs, they can be internalized in a not appropriate manner in relation to their physical and chemical properties and the nature of the target cells. All treated embryos have head, gut and tail malformations. They present a shorter body length compared to wild type control, particularly those treated with SiO2. Moreover embryos treated with NPs of Gold, Silver, Fe3O4 and SiO2 show specific malformations of the skull cartilage and the respiratory system. These preliminary data suggest a toxic but not lethal effect of NPs on the embryos at least in our experimental conditions.