Nanoparticles and female reproductive toxicity: a review

This review gives relevant introductory information on nanoparticles, their properties and applications in different fields. Nanotechnology today has expanded and evolved in almost every field and includes application in electronics, sensing, detection, catalysis, and biomedical sciences. Due to anthropogenic methods of nanoparticles synthesis, the applications have increased dramatically within the last century. This increase in consumption has led to increase in potential toxicity of nanoparticles especially in reproductive system. Nanoparticles have the potential to cross some biological membranes and accumulate in the reproductive system after translocating from the circulatory and lymphatic systems. NPs can enter the ovaries and interfere with normal ovarian functions like synthesis of sex steroid hormones, shape and functions of ovarian cells, impairment of follicular development and oocyte quality. Their ability to effect uterine epithelial cells cannot be ignored. Numerous studies have shown that an abnormal redox balance mediated by reactive oxygen species production and activation and inactivation of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors within cells are key factors in NP-induced toxicity. This review tries to provide enhanced understanding about the NPs and female reproductive toxicity that may become helpful in creating mitigation techniques for safe applications of nanoparticles in humans.