Bisphenol A Disrupt Endogenous Estrone, Estriol and Estradiol Levels in Female Albino Wistar Rats
Chinenye E. Oguazu *
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Francis C. Ezeonu
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
M. O. Enemali
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Kingsley I. Ubaoji
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a contaminant with increasing exposure and exerts both toxic and estrogenic effects on cells The general population is potentially exposed to many chemicals that can affect the endocrine system. These substances are called endocrine disruptors (EDs), and among them Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used and well-studied. This study investigates the possibility of blood serum endogenous estrogens levels perturbations at prevailing low exposure rates of BPA in albino Wistar rats. Eleven experimental groups each containing five (10) female rats were administered graded doses of BPA/kg body weight (bw)/day. The first control group was given water. Animals blood were collected weekly for twelve weeks and serum sample specimens analyzed by routine diagnostic procedures for estrogens assay using Chemwell Chemical Analyzer. Significantly increased concentrations of estrone and estradiol were observed, alongside significant decreased estriol concentrations, at all concentrations of BPA exposure at different time suggesting that bisphenol A upsets endogenous esrogens and causes perturbation of estradiol concentrations. These findings point to the overall disruption of estrogen metabolism.
Keywords: Bisphenol A, estrone, estriol, estradiol, hormone