Objective To investigate the effects on ovary function and structure of female mice by oral administration of bisphenol A (BPA) and to explore BPA's relevance to premature ovarian failure.
Methods Kunming female mice (SPF grade) at 5 weeks of age were randomly divided into control group (administered with corn oil) and BPA treatment groups (40, 120, and 240 mg/kg), 10 mice for each group. After intragastric administration for 25 d, histological changes of ovary tissues were observed; estradiol and antiovary antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); expressions of bax and bcl-2 protein were examined by immunohistochemistry.
Results The levels of estradiol in the 40, 120, and 240 mg/kg BPA treatment groups were (13.79& #177;2.36), (19.68& #177;1.34), and (22.35& #177;1.26) pg/mL, respectively, and were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of antiovary antibody in the 3 exposure groups were (3.11& #177;0.24), (3.99& #177;0.56), and (4.51& #177; 0.25) ng/mL, respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The expression of bax protein in each BPA treatment group was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while that of bcl-2 were down-regulated (P<0.05).
Conclusion Autoimmunity response and obvious changes in ovary function and structure of female mice are recorded after exposure to BPA, but need further evidence to support the association between BAP and premature ovarian failure.
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