Histopathology and histomorphometric investigation of bisphenol a and nonylphenol on the male rat reproductive system

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) have harmful effects on the endocrine system of humans and animals. Aim: We sought to investigate the effect of three doses of BPA and NP on the reproductive parameters of rats. Materials and Methods: Adult Wistar male rats weighing 150u200 g were used for a consecutive 35-day study. BPA and NP were given as gavage in three doses (5, 25, and 125 g/kg). At the end of the study, the rats were anesthetized and 2 ml blood sample was obtained from the auxiliary venous plexus for the assessment of sex hormone levels. The testes were removed and kept in 10% formalin for the histomorphometric and histopathologic analyses. Results: BPA and NP significantly decreased the body weight of the animals compared to the controls (P 0.05). The seminiferous tubule diameter and thickness of the seminiferous epithelium were significantly decreased in the groups receiving BPA and NP compared to the control (P 0.05). The number of seminiferous tubules in every experimental group increased, except for the highest dose of NP (125 g/kg), which showed a significant difference compared to the controls (P 0.05). The number of spermatocytes and spermatogonia (54.97 5.824, 35.78 3.956, respectively) in the group receiving NP (125 g/kg) was significantly decreased compared to the other groups. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone, and testosterone did not show any significant change compared to the controls. Conclusion: Based on the results, all three doses of BPA and NP significantly produced weight loss, as well as destruction of the testis tissue and impairment of the spermatogenesis.