Evaluation of the Toxicity of Bisphenol A in Reproduction and Its Effect on Fertility and Embryonic Development in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance commonly used in the manufacture of plastic products. Its inhalation or ingestion from particles in suspension, water, and/or polluted foods can trigger toxic effects related to endocrine disruption, resulting in hormonal, reproduction, and immunological alterations in humans and animals. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an ideal experimental model frequently used in toxicity studies. In order to assess the toxic effects of BPA on reproduction and embryonic development in one generation after parental exposure to it, a total of 80 zebrafish, males and females, divided into four groups in duplicate (n = 20) were exposed to BPA concentrations of 500, 50, and 5 µg L−1, along with a control group. The fish were kept in reproduction aquariums for 21 days. The embryos obtained in the crosses were incubated in a BPA-free medium and observed for signs of embryotoxicity. A histopathological study (under optical and electron microscopes) was performed of adult fish gonads. The embryos of reproducers exposed to BPA were those most frequently presenting signs of embryotoxicity, such as mortality and cardiac and musculoskeletal malformations. In the histopathological studies of adult individuals, alterations were found in ovocyte maturation and in spermatazoid formation in the groups exposed to the chemical. Those alterations were directly related to BPA action, affecting fertility in both sexes, as well as the viability of their offspring, proportionally to the BPA levels to which they were exposed, so that our results provide more information by associating toxic effects on the offspring and on the next generation.

Environmental Pollutants and Oxidative Stress in Terrestrial and Aquatic Organisms: Examination of the Total Picture and Implications for Human Health

“…Thus, they have their greatest impact on reproduction not only in humans but also in birds, animals and fish (Patisaul, 2021;Robaire et al, 2022). More recent reports confirm these observations and clinical cases are becoming more evident (Rahman et al, 2018;You and Song, 2021;Reis et al, 2022).…”

Tetramethyl bisphenol A stimulates proliferation but inhibits fetal Leydig cell function in male rats by targeting estrogen receptor α after in utero exposure

“…In recent years, increasing evidence points to BPA and its analogs as endocrine disrupting compounds that may inhibit biosynthesis, thereby affecting the male gonad development and maturation and eventually leading to TDS. 2,4,27 This research aimed to explore the effect of TMBPA (a BPA analog) on FLC function. We gavaged pregnant female rats with TMBPA from GD 14 to GD 21 and found that TMBPA promoted the proliferation of differentiating FLCs and putative stem cells possibly through activating ESR1, thereby activating the AKT1/AKT2 pathway and further increasing cell cycle regulatory CDK2/CDK4 protein levels.…”

“…In recent years, increasing evidence points to BPA and its analogs as endocrine disrupting compounds that may inhibit biosynthesis, thereby affecting the male gonad development and maturation and eventually leading to TDS 2,4,27 . This research aimed to explore the effect of TMBPA (a BPA analog) on FLC function.…”

“…BPA is considered a xenoestrogen or endocrine disruptor, capable of acting on animal organisms and altering endocrine function. It does so by mimicking or blocking endogenous hormones, acting as an estrogen receptor α (ESR1) agonist, having effects similar to 17β‐estradiol, and altering thyroid hormone production 2 . Several studies reported that BPA is a reproductive toxicant that interferes with the growth and development of the reproductive system, and may even lead to testicular disorder syndrome (TDS) 3–7 .…”

“…It does so by mimicking or blocking endogenous hormones, acting as an estrogen receptor α (ESR1) agonist, having effects similar to 17β-estradiol, and altering thyroid hormone production. 2 Several studies reported that BPA is a reproductive toxicant that interferes with the growth and development of the reproductive system, and may even lead to testicular disorder syndrome (TDS). [3][4][5][6][7] In addition, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, metabolic toxicity and intestinal microbiome toxicity caused by BPA were shown.…”