Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
6813021 
Journal Article 
Review 
Bisphenol A in Reproduction: Epigenetic Effects 
Chianese, R; Troisi, J; Richards, S; Scafuro, M; Fasano, S; Guida, M; Pierantoni, R; Meccariello, R 
2018 
Yes 
Current Medicinal Chemistry
ISSN: 0929-8673
EISSN: 1875-533X 
25 
6 
748-770 
English 
28990514 
WOS:000425889500005 
BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin to produce a multitude of consumer products, food and drink containers, and medical devices. BPA is similar to estradiol in structure and thus interferes in steroid signalling with different outcomes on reproductive health depending on doses, life stage, mode, and timing of exposure. In this respect, it has an emerging and controversial role as a "reproductive toxicant" capable of inducing short and long-term effects including the modulation of gene expression through epigenetic modification (i.e. methylation of CpG islands, histone modifications and production of non-coding RNA) with direct and trans-generational effects on exposed organisms and their offspring, respectively.

OBJECTIVE: This review provides an overview about BPA effects on reproductive health and aims to summarize the epigenetic effects of BPA in male and female reproduction.

RESULTS: BPA exerts epigenetic effects in both male and female reproduction. In males, BPA affects spermatogenesis and sperm quality and possible trans-generational effects on the reproductive ability of the offspring. In females, BPA affects ovary, embryo development, and gamete quality for successful in vivo and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

CONCLUSION: The exact mechanisms of BPA-mediated effects in reproduction are not fully understood; however, the environmental exposure to BPA - especially in fetal and neonatal period - deserves attention to preserve the reproductive ability in both sexes and to reduce the epigenetic risk for the offspring.