Induction of cytotoxicity and apoptosis in mouse blastocysts by silver nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles (nanoAg) are antibacterial materials widely used in various products and medical supplies. In this report, we examined the cytotoxic effects of nanoAg on mouse embryos at the blastocyst stage, subsequent embryonic attachment and outgrowth in vitro, and in vivo implantation by embryo transfer. Blastocysts treated with 50 microM nanoAg exhibited significantly increased apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in total cell number.