Abstract Background The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has expanded the use of nanomaterials across biomedical and industrial applications. Engineered gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have attracted considerable interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications; however, their ability to cross the placental barrier and the potential for fetotoxic effects remain insufficiently explored. Results This study aimed to investigate the transplacental transfer and developmental toxicity of biosynthesized Au NPs in a BALB/c mouse model. Pregnant mice were assigned to three groups: a control group (G1) and two treatment groups receiving intravenous doses of 10 µg/g/day (G2) or 20 µg/g/day (G3). Morphological examination of fetal skeletal structures using light microscopy revealed no overt abnormalities. In contrast, comprehensive skeletal assessment using an advanced multimodal complementary laser-based platform demonstrated significant dose-dependent alterations. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) detected pronounced dysregulation of calcium and magnesium critical for bone mineralization. Additionally, laser speckle imaging enabled sensitive, nondestructive evaluation of microstructural changes associated with fetal bone ossification and alterations in mineral content. The integrated analysis revealed disrupted ossification centers, abnormal bone density signatures, and subtle skeletal anomalies that were undetectable by conventional microscopy. Conclusions The combined application of LIBS and laser speckle imaging proved highly sensitive in identifying early elemental imbalances and microstructural defects in fetal bone development following Au NPs exposure. These findings emphasize the value of advanced photonic and spectroscopic techniques for nanosafety assessment and underscore the necessity for thorough in vivo evaluation of the potential developmental risks associated with biosynthesized gold nanoparticles.
Alexeree et al. (Fri,) studied this question.