Gold nanorods (AuNR) have been explored for many applications, including innovative nanomedicines, which also might contribute to its increase in the environment, namely due to inadequate disposable of wastes into aquatic environments. Early-life stages of amphibians are usually aquatic and sensitive to chemical contamination. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the sublethal effects of CTAB functionalized AuNR on Xenopus laevis tadpoles. As such, tadpoles were exposed to serial concentrations of AuNR for 72 h. A reduction in the rate of feeding (EC₅₀ = 4 μg.L⁻¹), snout to vent growth (EC₅₀ = 5 μg.L⁻¹) and weight gain (EC₅₀ = 6 μg.L⁻¹), was observed for AuNR-exposed tadpoles. Also, tadpoles actively avoided concentrations ≥ 4 μg.L^-1 of AuNR, after 12 h of exposure. At the biochemical level, AuNR caused impairments in antioxidant and nervous system related enzymes. Exposure to CTAB alone caused a high mortality. Results indicated that CTAB functionalized AuNR may induce several sublethal effects that may compromise the organism’s fitness. Avoidance behavior (which corresponds to the disappearance of organisms, thus, similar to their death), observed at concentrations matching those inducing sublethal effects, suggest that it should be considered in the risk assessment for amphibians.

已对金纳米棒（AuNR）进行了许多应用的探索，包括创新的纳米药物，这也可能有助于其环境的改善，即由于废物无法充分进入水生环境。两栖动物的生命早期通常是水生的，并且对化学污染敏感。因此，本研究旨在确定CTAB功能化AuNR对非洲爪蟾eno的亚致死作用。因此，将were暴露于连续浓度的AuNR中72小时。进食速度降低（EC ₅₀ = 4μg.L ^-1），鼻孔到排气孔的生长（EC ₅₀ = 5μg.L ^-1）和体重增加（EC ₅₀ = 6μg.L ^-1）），观察到AuNR暴露的t。另外，暴露12 h后，t主动避免AuNR的浓度≥4μg。L ^-1。在生化水平上，AuNR导致抗氧化剂和神经系统相关酶的损伤。仅接触CTAB会导致高死亡率。结果表明，CTAB功能化的AuNR可能诱导几种亚致死作用，从而可能损害生物体的适应性。在与诱导亚致死作用的浓度相匹配的浓度下，可以观察到回避行为（与生物的消失相对应，与生物的死亡类似），建议在两栖动物的风险评估中应考虑到回避行为。