Testicular toxic changes induced by bisphenol A in adult albino rats: a histological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical study

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is incorporated in many plastic industries worldwide. The exposure of humans to such substances starts from the fetal life to the postnatal life and extends throughout the life of the individual. Many agencies have raised warnings against the excessive use of such substances. Aim of work: The present study was designed to evaluate the biochemical and histological changes induced by BPA in the testis of adult male albino rats and to detect the ability of self-regeneration after stoppage. Materials and methods: Thirty-two adult male albino rats were used. T he rats were divided equally into four groups (eight animals each). Groups I and I I were used as negative and positive control groups, respectively. Rats of group I II were given an oral dose of 50 mg/kg of BPA per day for 8 weeks. In group IV, the rats were treated in the same manner as in group I II and then left without treatment for 4 weeks for recovery. At the time of s acrifice, all rats were anesthetized with ether, and blood samples were collected for estimation of testosterone. T he testes were dissected out and processed for testicular malondialdehyde and glut athione measurement and light and electron microscopic ex amination. The diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubules were estimated morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Results: Biochemical results of the BPA-treated group (group III) revealed testicular affection with oxidative stress. Testes of this group showed many distorted seminiferous tubules lined by disorganized epithelium and separated with wide interstitium containing congested blood vessels. Apoptotic nuclei of some spermatids and intercellular spaces were also seen. There was a decrease in estrogen receptors. Statistical analysis of epithelial height and tubular diameter confirmed the results. However, in the recovery group (group IV), the histological and the biochemical changes were reduced but did not return to normal. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that BPA had deleterious effects on the testis with some sort of self-recovery after stoppage.