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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Bisphenol A Inhibits Testicular Functions and Increases Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in Adult Male Rats

Atsushi Tohei^*, Satoshi Suda^*, Kazuyoshi Taya, Takao Hashimoto and Hiroshi Kogo^*,1

^* Department of Pharmacology and
Department of Pathophysiology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; and
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo183-0054,Japan

Effects of a xenobiotic estrogen, bisphenol A (BPA), on reproductive functions were investigated using adult male rats. BPA was dissolved into sesame oil and injected sc every day (1 mg/rat) for 14 days. Animals were killed by decapitation after the final administration of BPA, and the trunk blood, pituitary, and testes were collected. Plasma concentrations of prolactin were dramatically increased and pituitary contents of prolactin were slightly increased in the BPA group compared to the control group. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were decreased and plasma concentrations of LH were increased in BPA-treated rats compared to control rats. Testicular contents of inhibin were decreased in BPA-treated rats compared to control rats, although plasma concentrations of inhibin were not changed after administration of BPA. The testicular response to hCG for progesterone and testosterone release was decreased in BPA-treated rats. Administration of BPA did not change the pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in castrated male rats treated with testosterone. Male sexual behavior also was not changed as a result of BPA treatment. These results suggest that BPA directly inhibits testicular functions and the increased level of plasma LH is probably due to a reduction in the negative feedback regulation by testosterone. The testis is probably a more sensitive site for BPA action than the hypothalamus–pituitary axis.

Key Words: bisphenol A • reproductive functions • male rats

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