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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Developmental exposure to bisphenol A leads to cardiometabolic dysfunction in adult mouse offspring
F R Cagampang1, C Torrens1, F W Anthony1
1Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Insights
Prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) impacts adult offspring, leading to increased adiposity, impaired glucose, and higher blood pressure. This suggests BPA exposure during pregnancy elevates the risk of long-term cardiovascular and metabolic issues.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Toxicology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with known adverse health effects.
- Perinatal exposure to BPA is a growing public health concern.
- The impact of prenatal BPA exposure on adult cardiovascular function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term cardiometabolic effects of prenatal Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in adult offspring.
- To determine if BPA exposure during critical developmental periods influences cardiovascular and metabolic health later in life.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice were administered daily doses of BPA from gestational days 11 to 19.
- Adult male and female offspring were assessed for growth, organ size, adiposity, glucose homeostasis, blood pressure, and vascular function.
- Estrogen receptor gene expression in aortic tissue was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Prenatal BPA exposure led to altered growth trajectories and organ sizes in offspring.
- Increased adiposity and impaired glucose homeostasis were observed in both male and female offspring.
- Offspring exposed to BPA exhibited elevated systolic blood pressure, with impaired vascular tone in males and reduced estrogen receptor gene expression in female aortas.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) significantly impacts cardiometabolic health in adult offspring.
- BPA exposure during gestation increases offspring susceptibility to developing cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction.
- These findings highlight the critical window of vulnerability during perinatal development to endocrine disruptors like BPA.
Abstract:
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound that has adverse health outcomes in adults when exposed during the perinatal period. However, its effect on cardiovascular function remains to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of daily administration of BPA to pregnant mice from gestational days 11 to 19 on cardiometabolic outcomes in the adult offspring. Prenatal BPA exposure resulted in altered growth trajectory and organ size, increase adiposity and impaired glucose homeostasis in male and female offspring. In addition, these BPA offspring exhibited raised systolic blood pressure, and in the males this was accompanied by impaired vascular tone. The aortas in females, but not in males, from the BPA group also showed reduced estrogen receptor gene expression. These results indicate that prenatal exposure to BPA increased susceptibility of the offspring to developing cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction later in life.
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