Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are useful novel luminescent markers, but their embryonic toxicity is yet to be fully established, particularly in oocyte maturation and sperm fertilization. Earlier experiments by our group show that CdSe-core QDs have cytotoxic effects on mouse blastocysts and are associated with defects in subsequent development. Here, we further investigate the influence of CdSe-core QDs on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and subsequent pre- and postimplantation development. CdSe-core QDs induced a significant reduction in the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and in vitro embryo development, but not ZnS-coated CdSe QDs. Treatment of oocytes with 500 nM CdSe-core QDs during in vitro maturation (IVM) led to increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased placental and fetal weights. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the negative impact of CdSe-core QDs on mouse oocyte development. Moreover, surface modification of CdSe-core QDs with ZnS effectively prevented this cytotoxicity.
Highlights
Quantum dots (QDs), colloidal nanocrystalline semi-conductors with unique light emitting properties, are employed as novel luminescent materials
Mouse blastocyst-stage embryos, developed from the zygote for four days, were directly treated with QDs for 24 h and we found that CdSe-core QDs induced mouse blastocyst apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner
The ability of oocytes to be fertilized by fresh sperm, assessed on the basis of male pronucleus formation, was significantly decreased upon pre-treatment with CdSe-core QDs prior to in vitro maturation (IVM) (Figure 1)
Summary
Quantum dots (QDs), colloidal nanocrystalline semi-conductors with unique light emitting properties, are employed as novel luminescent materials. The lowest level QD energy absorption occurs. 2009, 10 at longer wavelengths and the energy is converted to narrow bandwidth emission. The particles are ideal for development as luminescent probes because of several advantageous characteristics, including broadband excitation, narrow bandwidth emission, high intensity of emitted light, good photostability, and photochemical stability [2,3,4]. These properties allow the effective application of QDs in biochemical assays, in particular, immunofluorescence staining.
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