Reprotoxic effect of bisphenol F and bisphenol S on female Drosophila melanogaster exposed during development

What is the effect of exposure to Bisphenol F (BPF) and Bisphenol S (BPS) during the embryonic and developmental period on the reproductive system of filial generation 1 (F1) female flies? To answer this question, Drosophila melanogaster were used, which remained throughout the development period, at different concentrations of BPF and BPS (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM, separately). Upon hatching, evaluation of wing size and body weight, in addition to the expression of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), quantification of reactive species (RS) and CYP 450 activity were performed in part of virgin females (F1). Another part of the females (F1) were mated with untreated males to assess reprotoxicity through tests such as fertility and fecundity, by counting the number of eggs laid and hatched, and evaluation of ovary morphology and viability of ovarian cells. Exposure to 1 mM BPF, 0.5 and 1 mM BPS reduced the ability of flies to lay eggs, changed the shape and size of the ovaries, reduced the viability of ovarian cells, increased body weight, and reduced wing size. EcR reduction was observed at all concentrations, accompanied by an increase of CAT and SOD expression and an increase in CYP450 activity. Even with increases in antioxidant enzymes, the reproductive system of females exposed to 1 mM BPF, 0.5 and 1 mM BPS may have succumbed to the rise in RS and reduction of EcR, which indicates endocrine dysregulation, thus manifesting a reprotoxic effect, highlighting BPS as more harmful.