DOES ORAL EXPOSURE TO LOW DOSES OF BISPHENOLA IMPAIR THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN WISTAR RATS?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure at different
doses on male reproductive function in Wistar rats. To this end, animals were randomly divided
into 6 groups (n=6). Gr1: control that received 1mL of ethanol (0.1%); Gr2: exposed to
0.0004µg/kg/day of BPA; Gr3: exposed to 0.004µg/kg/day of BPA; Gr4: exposed to 0.04
µg/kg/day of BPA; Gr5: exposed to 0.4 µg/kg/day of BPA; Gr6: exposed to 4 µg /kg/day of BPA.
BPA was given daily by gavage for 60consecutivedays. The obtained results showed a
significant decrease in the body weight and weight gain in the group exposed to the lowest dose
(0.0004µg), while no significant changes were found in the relative testicular weight of rats. A
significant decrease in sperm count, motility and viability was also observed in all BPA-treated
groups compared to controls. Asignificant decrease in Testosterone levels was noted in all BPAexposed groups but not the group exposed to 4 µg. The histological analysis showed many
morphological changes in the BPA-treated groups e.g detachment of germ cells from the basal
lamina, degenerative changes in the germinal layer, decline in spermatozoa number in the
lumen, apparition of cell debris in the lumen of tubules, and vacuolization of Sertoli cells. In
conclusion, our results demonstrate clearly that BPA exposure at different low doses (0.0004,
0.004, 0.04, 0.4,4 µg/kg/day) for 60 days induce serious adverse effects on the male
reproductive function in Wistar rats.