This study aimed to compare the histological changes in the neonatal kidney after their mothers exposed to different doses
of silver nanoparticles colloidal solution (AgNPs) during the three stages of pregnancy. Pregnant Swiss albino mice (n=60)
were randomly divided into three treated groups. They were intraperitoneally injected with AgNPs for 7 days during each
stage of the gestational period. The newborn mice were sacrificed immediately after the birth, and the kidneys were being
collected for histopathological analysis. The results showed that the AgNPs caused histological changes in the neonatal
kidneys; vacuolation of some renal vesicles and cortical tubules, cystic tubular dilation, glomerular tuft shrinkage, and
focal tubular necrosis in the first week-dose exposed pregnant. Disintegrating of immature glomeruli, distention of
Bowman’s space of mature glomeruli, tubular necrosis, loss of renal parenchyma, medullar tubules containing hyaline
casts, and subcapsular haemorrhage in the second week-dose exposed pregnant. Massive hypercellularity in the deeper part
of the renal cortex, cortical and medullary tubules dilation, atrophy of subcapsular immature tubules, cortical cyst
formation, glomerular tuft necrosis, dilation of Bowman’s space with evidence of crescent formation, and medullar portion
replaced by scant loose connective tissue containing few numbers of tubules the third week-dose exposed pregnant. The
results showed that the AgNPs has more negative effects on the kidney development at the third week-high dose and
comparing the histological changes in the neonatal kidney were appeared in a time-depended manner and in a dosedepended manner. More researches must be carried out to obtain better understanding of AgNPs toxicity on fetal
development and its ability as a teratogenic agent to induce external and internal abnormalities in the fetus.
