Pubertal Bisphenol A exposure increases adult rat serum testosterone by resetting pituitary homeostasis. (1st April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Dan; Zhao, Xingyi; Huang, Fu; Guan, Xiaoju; Tian, Jing; Ji, Minpeng; Wen, Xin; Shao, Jingjing; Xie, Jiajia; Wang, Jiexia; Chen, Haolin
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 298(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-01
• Subjects: Bisphenol A -- Leydig cell -- PI3K/AKT signaling -- Testosterone -- Growth hormone; Biological Sciences: Toxicology; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used by manufacturers and in consumer products. Its release in the environment may affect male reproductive function. In this study, we examined the effect of low dose (0.1 mg/kg BW), short term exposure during puberty (PD21-35) on adult rat male reproduction. The results indicated that such exposure reset growth hormone (GH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) homeostasis and resulted in a significantly higher level of serum testosterone without affecting serum luteinizing hormone level. QPCR and Western blot results showed that BPA significantly up-regulated selective genes/proteins in the Leydig cell steroidogenic pathway, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 11A1, cytochrome P450 17A, and low-density lipoprotein receptor. RNA-Seq analysis of testicular RNAs showed that BPA significantly affected the gene profiles of multiple testicular interstitial populations without affecting germ cells. Also, GO- and KEGG-analysis suggested that IGF1-related PI3K/AKT signaling was activated, which was confirmed by the increased phosphorylation of IRS1, AKT1 and CREB. The results indicated that a low-dose, short-term BPA exposure during puberty affected the adult male rat pituitary (GH and FSH) and testis (testosterone) homeostasis. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Pubertal low dose BPA exposure resets adult rat GH and FSH homoeostasis. Pubertal BPA exposure increases adult serum testosterone. BPA affected the gene profiles of testis interstitial somatic populations. IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may be responsible for testosterone increase.