Effect of Bisphenol S on testicular tissue after low-dose lactation exposure

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2022-12, Vol.315, p.120114-120114, Article 120114
• Main Authors: Fenclová, Tereza, Chemek, Marouane, Havránková, Jiřina, Kolinko, Yaroslav, Sudová, Vendula, Moravec, Jiří, Navrátilová, Jana, Klein, Pavel, Králíčková, Milena, Nevoral, Jan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bisphenol S; Blood-testis barrier; Idiopathic infertility; Lactation exposure; Oxidative stress; Testicular tissue
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120114

Exposure to endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols, can lead to and be the explanation for idiopathic infertility. In our study, we assessed the effect of exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) via breast milk on the testicular tissue health of adult male mice. Lactating dams were exposed to BPS through drinking water (0.216 ng g bw/day and 21.6 ng g bw/day) from post-natal day 0–15. Although there was no significant difference in testicular histopathology between the control and experimental groups, we observed an increase in the number of tight and gap junctions in the blood-testis barrier (BTB) of adult mice after lactation BPS exposure. Moreover, there was an increase in oxidative stress markers in adult testicular tissue of mice exposed via breast milk. Our lactation model indicates that breast milk is a route of exposure to an endocrine disruptor that can be responsible for idiopathic male infertility through the damage of the BTB and weakening of oxidative stress resistance in adulthood. •Nursing exposure to BPS might be the cause of male idiopathic infertility.•Nursing exposure to BPS decreases seminiferous epithelium height in adulthood.•Volume of gap junctions in BTB increases by nursing exposure to BPS.•Volume of tight junctions in BTB increases by nursing exposure to BPS.•Nursing exposure to BPS increases oxidative stress in testicular tissue.