量子点（QDs）在活体动物的毒性研究已逐步开展，然而其对妊娠动物的生殖毒性研究相对缺乏。研究显示QDs可长期留存于体内，且可穿越胎盘屏障致胎鼠死亡，但其在妊娠期暴露对子宫、卵黄囊、胎盘及胎鼠形成和发育的急性毒性的分子机制并不明确，其引起慢性毒性的相关研究更加匮乏。本项目拟以小鼠为研究对象，深入探讨QDs在不同妊娠时期暴露对雌鼠和胎鼠（或子鼠）急性和慢性毒性效应，进一步应用DGE、RT-qPCR和Western blotting发掘QDs引起生殖毒性的关键效应分子（生物标志物），初步阐明QDs引发生殖毒性的分子机制。同时，拟采用ICP-MS和TEM探讨CdSe/ZnS QDs与镉盐溶液在体内分布、传递、降解的特征差异，阐明QDs穿越胎盘屏障向子代传递的机制。本项目通过探讨QDs生殖毒性的作用机制及向子代传递机制，为其在妊娠动物暴露评价及在哺乳动物特别是妊娠期哺乳动物的应用或禁用提供理论依据。

In vivo toxicity of quantum dots (QDs) in animals has been broadly studied. However, its reproductive toxicity toward pregnancy animals has not yet been systematically investigated. Previous research showed that QDs can accumulate in vivo and pass through placenta barrier and cause fetus death, but it is still not clear with the mechanism of acute reproductive toxicity toward uterus, yolk sac, placenta, and fetal formation and development after exposure in QDs. Researches on chronic QDs reproductive toxicity are even rare. In this proposal, mice will be chose as target, systematical evaluation of the acute and chronic reproductive toxicity of QDs exposed in different pregnancy stages will be performed, and DGE, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting will be employed to investigate key mediating molecules that caused the QDs reproductive toxicity, and further characterize the biomarkers that realize the toxic effect. ICP-MS and TEM will be also used to characterize the mechanism of QDs in vivo biodistribution, degradation, and transfer to their offspring through the placenta barrier, in comparison with CdCl2 solution. In summary, the proposed research intends to investigate the mechanism of reproductive toxicity and offspring transmission of QDs, and will provide the theoretical basis for the exposure assessment of QDs in pregnant animals, as well as for the application or prohibition of QDs in mammals, especially in pregnant mammals.