Bisphenol A induced oxidative damage in the rat reproductive organs: A possible cause for decline in steroidogenesis

Endocrine disrupting activities of bisphenol A (BPA) contribute to adverse effects on health and fertility. The current study was conducted to show the effect of BPA on male reproductive organs in prepuberty. Methods: Forty prepubetal albino male rats were divided into 4 groups (10 rats each). The first was considered as control and the other three were injected subcutaneously with 11.4, 57.1, and 114.2 mg/kg of BPA dissolved in DMSO, respectively for 6 weeks. Histopathological examination for reproductive organs was performed in addition to biochemical assays of plasma sex hormones determined by ELISA to evaluate the effect of BPA on fertility. Moreover, oxidative stress indices in testis tissue were evaluated by colorimetric methods. Results: The levels of testosterone and LH were significantly decreased in rats injected with BPA in a dose of 57.1, and 114.2 mg/kg/day compared to controls. BPA significantly increased the oxidative stress indices in testis tissues. The histopathological changes observed in the testis treated with BPA demonstrated its potentials to induce cytotoxic and endocrine disrupting effects on the spermatogenic, Sertoli and Leydig cells. Furthermore, the severity of BPA effects observed was dose dependent. Conclusion: BPA caused dose dependent reduction in the plasma levels of testosterone and LH in male rats associated with oxidative stress and histological changes in the testis. The effect of BPA on the testis may be due to oxidative stress in testis or the effect of decreased testosterone level or both.