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. 2020 Jun 28;17(13):4657. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17134657

Table 2.

The advantages and drawbacks of the various in vivo methods. ADME: Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Type Advantages Drawbacks Source(s)
Aquatic models
Planktonic crustaceans Standardized protocols and guidelines;
Easy implementation		 Primarily used as pre-screening method;
Large biological difference to humans		 [98]
Zebrafish High throughput;
Similar genome;
Rapid developmental process;
Low cost;
Easy monitoring of embryogenesis;
ADME effects studied		 Difficult monitoring of rapid developmental process;
Ethical concerns;
Species to species variation		 [100,101,104]
Mammal models
Small rodents Multiple routes of exposure;
Guidelines exist to evaluate nanotoxicity;
ADME effects studied;
Chronic effects studied		 Ethical concerns;
Species to species variation; Expertise necessary;
High cost		 [105,106]