Administration of silver nanoparticles affects ovarian steroidogenesis and may influence thyroid hormone metabolism in hens (Gallus domesticus).
This study aimed to determine the in vivo effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the concentration of sex steroids (progesterone - P4, estradiol - E2, testosterone - T) and thyroid hormones (thyroxine - T4, triiodothyronine - T3) in the blood plasma as well as the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of HSD3β, CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes and steroid hormone concentrations in chicken ovarian follicles. AgNPs did not affect serum steroid hormone levels, but increased T3 levels depending on the size and concentration of AgNPs. At the level of ovarian tissues, AgNPs: (i) affected the levels of E2 and T in prehierachical follicles; (ii) reduced the expression of CYP19A1 mRNA and protein and consequently diminished E2 concentration in small white follicles; and (iii) increased the expression of CYP17A1 mRNA in large white follicles, without changing its protein expression. The results indicate that AgNPs affect chicken ovarian steroidogenesis. The effects of AgNPs depend on exposure time, the type of follicle and the degree of its development and are associated with the modulation of steroidogenic gene expression and E2 and T synthesis. Prehierachical follicles seem to be more susceptible to AgNPs than preovulatory ones. In conclusion, AgNPs by targeting the chicken ovary may indirectly influence the selection processes of prehierarchical follicles to the pre-ovulatory hierarchy and disturb the ovarian steroidogenesis. Furthermore, AgNPs may affect thyroid hormone metabolism in different ways by size which in turn may influence energy homeostasis of the target cells.
['Katarzyńska-Banasik|Dorota|D|', 'Grzesiak|Małgorzata|M|', 'Kowalik|Kinga|K|', 'Sechman|Andrzej|A|']
D000818:Animals D001141:Aromatase D002645:Chickens D004958:Estradiol D005260:Female D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones D053768:Metal Nanoparticles D006080:Ovarian Follicle D010053:Ovary D011374:Progesterone D012333:RNA, Messenger D012834:Silver D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase D013739:Testosterone D013963:Thyroid Hormones D014284:Triiodothyronine
Silver nanoparticles Steroidogenesis Thyroid hormones Sex steroids Chicken