Open AccessNanoparticles in pregnancy: the next frontier in reproductive therapeutics
Author(s) -
Natasha Pritchard,
Tu’uhevaha J Kaitu’u-Lino,
Lynda K. Harris,
Stephen Tong,
Natalie J. Hannan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
human reproduction update
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.977
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1362-4946
pISSN - 1355-4786
DOI - 10.1093/humupd/dmaa049
Subject(s) - medicine , assisted reproductive technology , pregnancy , nanomedicine , reproductive medicine , obstetrics , bioinformatics , intensive care medicine , biology , nanotechnology , infertility , genetics , materials science , nanoparticle
Nanotechnology involves the engineering of structures on a molecular level. Nanomedicine and nano-delivery systems have been designed to deliver therapeutic agents to a target site or organ in a controlled manner, maximizing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects of the therapeutic agent administered. In both reproductive medicine and obstetrics, developing innovative therapeutics is often tempered by fears of damage to the gamete, embryo or developing foetus or of negatively impacting a woman's reproductive potential. Thus, nanomedicine delivery systems may provide alternative targeted intervention strategies, treating the source of the disease and minimizing long-term consequences for the mother and/or her foetus.