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Metal-based particles in human amniotic fluids of fetuses with normal karyotype and congenital malformation—a pilot study

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Abstract

This study explores the inorganic composition of amniotic fluid in healthy human fetuses and fetuses with congenital malformation with a special attention to presence of metal-based solid particles. Amniotic fluid originates from maternal blood and provides fetus mechanical protection and nutrients. In spite of this crucial role, the environmental impact on the composition of amniotic fluid remains poorly studied. The samples of human amniotic fluids were obtained by amniocentesis, including both healthy pregnancies and those with congenital malformations. The samples were analysed using several techniques, including Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersed spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Several metal-based particles containing barium, titanium, iron, and other elements were detected by SEM-EDS and Raman microspectroscopy. XRD analysis detected only sodium chloride as the main component of all amniotic fluid samples. Infrared spectroscopy detected protein-like organic components. Majority of particles were in form of agglomerates up to tens of micrometres in size, consisting of mainly submicron particles. By statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis), it was observed that groups of healthy and diagnosed fetuses form two separate groups and therefore, qualitative differences in chemical composition may have distinct biological impact. Overall, our results suggest that metal-based nanosized pollutants penetrate into the amniotic fluid and may affect human fetuses.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank the project reg. No. SP2014/76 and project Nanotechnology—the basis for international cooperation project, reg. no. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0074 supported by Operational Programme ‘Education for competitiveness’ funded by Structural Funds of the European Union and state budget of the Czech Republic for financial support and Marie Heliová for SEM-EDS analysis. This paper has also been elaborated in the framework of the project New creative teams in priorities of scientific research, reg. no. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0055, supported by Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness and co-financed by the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic. Authors also thank Mr. Daniel Casten for English corrections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology Centre, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, 708 33, Ostrava, Czech Republic

    H. Barošová, O. Motyka, K. Mamulová Kutláková, P. Peikertová, J. Rak & J. Kukutschová

  2. The Institute of Pathology, Faculty Hospital Ostrava, 17. listopadu 1790, 708 52, Ostrava, Czech Republic

    J. Dvořáčková & H. Bielniková

  3. Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, 4060 Ste Catherine West, PT-232, Montreal, QC, H3Z 2Z3, Canada

    J. Rak

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  1. H. Barošová
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  2. J. Dvořáčková
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Correspondence to H. Barošová.

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Barošová, H., Dvořáčková, J., Motyka, O. et al. Metal-based particles in human amniotic fluids of fetuses with normal karyotype and congenital malformation—a pilot study. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 7582–7589 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3987-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3987-0

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