Quantum dots (QDs) have recently attracted considerable attention in the biomedical fields because of their unique and excellent optical properties. However, information on their health effects, particularly in the reproductive system, is limited. The present study focuses on the effects of intravenous injection of CdSe/ZnS QDs on the reproductive system and embryo development at various stages of pregnancy in mice. The CdSe/ZnS QDs intravenously injected in mice during pregnancy accumulated in the maternal liver, uterus and placenta. This accumulation affected the growth and development of the embryo during the early and middle stages of pregnancy. Moreover, genotoxicity to the placenta after exposure to CdSe/ZnS QDs was demonstrated by the increased expression levels of genes related to oxidative stress and apoptosis and the reduced expression levels of genes related to the nutrient and waste transportation. Alterations in the gene expression levels have hindered the transport of metabolites across the placenta, which in turn affected the ability of the fetus to obtain nutrients.

中文翻译：

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QDs暴露对不同妊娠阶段小鼠的生殖和胚胎发育毒性的影响。

量子点（QDs）由于其独特而优异的光学性能，最近在生物医学领域引起了相当大的关注。但是，关于它们对健康的影响，特别是对生殖系统的健康影响的信息有限。本研究集中于静脉注射CdSe / ZnS QDs对小鼠妊娠各个阶段生殖系统和胚胎发育的影响。怀孕期间小鼠静脉内注射的CdSe / ZnS QD积聚在母体肝脏，子宫和胎盘中。在妊娠的早期和中期，这种积累影响了胚胎的生长和发育。此外，暴露于CdSe / ZnS QDs后对胎盘的遗传毒性通过与氧化应激和细胞凋亡相关的基因表达水平升高以及与养分和废物运输相关的基因表达水平降低来证明。基因表达水平的改变阻碍了代谢产物穿过胎盘的运输，进而影响了胎儿获取营养的能力。