Mutagenic effect of Bisphenol A on adult rat male germ cells and their fertility

The present study investigates the effects of Bisphenol A on the induction of dominant lethal mutation and male reproductive functions. The male rats were gavaged with BPA (10 mu g, and 5.0 mg/kg/bw) over a period of six days and control group with vehicle. Each male was cohabited with untreated females sequentially over the period of eight weeks. The mated females were sacrificed on 15th day of gestation. The results revealed a significant increase in dominant lethal mutation rate during fourth and sixth week of mating intervals at 5.0 mg/kg/bw dose of BPA. These findings demonstrate that mid-spermatids and spermatocytes are more sensitive to BPA exposure. The male rats sacrificed at the end of mating study showed an increase in the sperm DNA damage, and decrease in motility at higher dose. However, significant reductions in sperm production effects were observed at both lower and higher doses of BPA. These preliminary results indicate that BPA may be a weak male germ cell mutagen. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.