Effect of BPA exposure in a rabbit model

Pregnant rabbits were treated with BPA (200ug/kg/day) or vehicle daily from day 15 of pregnancy until birth. Two dams (treatment and control) were sacrificed immediately after birth (to assess reproductive toxicity). The remaining experimental animals were monitored for 6 weeks (4 weeks nursing and 2 weeks post weaning) then sacrificed. Fecal swabs and fecal pellets were collected from dams before BPA treatment and once a week for 6 weeks after birth. Pups were sampled day 2 to day 13, and then 3 times a week until sacrifice. Distal colon and liver samples were retrieved from the dams and pups at the time of sacrifice. Rabbits were fed a soy and alfalfa based diet (which may have associated genisteins and coumestans).