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Bisphenol A impairs oocyte maturation by dysfunction of cumulus cells
Yajie Chen1, Shuang Zhang1, Yifan Sun1
1Guangdong Province Key Laboratory, Southern China Institute of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Food Engineering, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China.
Theriogenology
|November 30, 2024
Summary
Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure harms reproductive health by disrupting cumulus cell function, leading to impaired oocyte maturation and reduced embryo development. This endocrine disruptor affects key cellular processes, impacting fertility outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Environmental Toxicology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a prevalent endocrine disruptor with known adverse effects on reproductive systems.
- Cumulus cells play a critical role in supporting oocyte maturation and development.
- The impact of BPA on cumulus cell function and subsequent oocyte quality requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on the function of cumulus cells.
- To determine how BPA exposure influences oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying BPA's toxicity in the context of cumulus-oocyte complexes.
Main Methods:
- Porcine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage were exposed to BPA for 44 hours.
- Assessed cumulus cell function, including meiotic division, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and steroid synthesis.
- Evaluated oocyte quality by measuring reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial distribution, autophagy, and apoptosis.
- Determined the developmental potential of BPA-exposed oocytes to the blastocyst stage after in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic activation.
Main Results:
- BPA exposure induced cumulus cell dysfunction, characterized by inhibited meiotic division, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and disrupted steroid synthesis.
- Oocytes exposed to BPA exhibited increased reactive oxygen species and abnormal mitochondrial distribution.
- Matured oocytes from BPA-exposed groups showed significantly reduced development to the blastocyst stage.
- BPA exposure led to increased autophagy and apoptosis in matured oocytes.
Conclusions:
- Cumulus-oocyte complexes are highly sensitive to Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during the germinal vesicle stage.
- The toxic effects of BPA on cumulus cells significantly impair oocyte maturation and parthenogenetic embryo development.
- BPA poses a considerable risk to reproductive potential by disrupting critical cellular functions within the oocyte-supportive environment.
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