Impact of Bisphenol A Exposure on Physiological and Histological Changes in Foetal Life and Adulthood

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Main Author: Azreen M.A.; Hasan N.; Harun N.; Rasdi Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85213882473&doi=10.47836%2fmjmhs.20.s10.3&partnerID=40&md5=269f5257bf6d2bd1825d31c52eb7031d

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous due to its various fields of applications. However, there is mounting evidence suggesting that excessive contamination of BPA in the environment is potentially hazardous to cardiovascular health. It has been reported that constant exposure to BPA during pregnancy can be vertically transmitted to the developing foetus. This study aims to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to BPA on F1 generation, as well as physiological parameters of the pregnant rats. Methods: Twenty-four fertile female rats aged 5-6 weeks were mated before exposed to different concentrations via drinking water of BPA for 21 days: 0 mg/kg (control), 5 mg/ kg (low dose), and 20 mg/kg (high dose). Blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings were taken on pregnancy day (PD) 0, 3, and 18. The pregnant rats, and foetuses were sacrificed on PD-21, while neonates were sacrificed on PND-15, and their heart tissues were collected for histological analysis. Results: On PD-18, the heart rate of BPA-exposed mother at low and high doses were lower (250.0 ± 40.82 and 240 ± 20 bpm, respectively) than the control group (287.5 ± 22.17 bpm), but no significant difference was observed. Histologically, the size of the foetuses’ hearts and the number of mitoses within the cardiac cells were significantly reduced (13.55% and 42.13%, respectively) in the high-dose group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The number of fragmented mitoses was significantly higher in the BPA-exposed group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to BPA from PD3-PD21 reduces the proliferative capacity of cardiac cells in the foetus rats leading to cardiac atrophy and compromised cardiac function. © 2024 Universiti Putra Malaysia Press. All rights reserved.