Reproductive Toxicity Induced by Low Dose Bisphenol A(BPA) in Male Rats

Abstract

Bisphenol A(BPA) an endocrine disruptor used in the manufacturing process of plastic. BPA low doses on long exposure periods had many hazardous effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lowest dose of BPA on the male induced orally on the at reproductive performance and changes in the testes that takes place histologically. P53 gene expression by Realtime PCR was also evaluated. Seventy- two albino male rats were divided into two groups, group I (control male rats receiving corn oil only). Group II (64 male rats) which was treated with oral doses of 50 µg/ kg/ day daily for 8 weeks. Every week 8 male rats were dissected and subjected to the investigated parameters. BPA treated groups presented decrease in sperms count, motility, progression and viability as well as a significant increase in sperms head or/and tail abnormalities were recognized. Histology of the testes showed abnormal and irregular organization of seminiferous tubules and decreased sperms in the testes lumen. Moreover, up-regulation in p53 expression was recorded after BPA exposure. In conclusion, these results showed that exposure to BPA at low dose 50µg/kg can cause many reproductive disorders which may impair fertility.

Keywords

• bisphenol a(bpa); endocrine disruptor; reproductive toxicity.