Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A And/or Diethylhexyl Phthalate Impacts Brain Monoamine Levels in Rat Offspring

Overview

Journal J Xenobiot

Date 2024 Aug 27

PMID 39189173

Authors

Amrita Kaimal

Jessica M Hooversmith

Maryam H Al Mansi

Philip V Holmes

Puliyur S MohanKumar

Sheba M J MohanKumar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study examines the sex-specific effects of gestational exposure (days 6-21) to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), or their combination on brain monoamine levels that play an important role in regulating behavior. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered saline, low doses (5 µg/kg BW/day) of BPA or DEHP, and their combination or a high dose (7.5 mg/kg BW/day) of DEHP alone or in combination with BPA during pregnancy. The offspring were subjected to a behavioral test and sacrificed in adulthood, and the brains were analyzed for neurotransmitter levels. In the paraventricular nucleus, there was a marked reduction in dopamine levels ( < 0.01) in male offspring from the BPA, DEHP, and B + D (HD) groups, which correlated well with their shock probe defensive burying times. Neurotransmitter changes in all brain regions examined were significant in female offspring, with DEHP (HD) females being affected the most, followed by the B + D groups. BPA and/or DEHP (LD) increased monoamine turnover in a region-specific manner in male offspring ( < 0.05). Overall, prenatal exposure to BPA, DEHP, or their combination alters monoamine levels in a brain region-specific, sex-specific, and dose-dependent manner, which could have implications for their behavioral and neuroendocrine effects.

Citing Articles

Prenatal bisphenol A and/or diethylhexyl phthalate exposure followed by adult estradiol treatment affects behavior and brain monoamines in female rat offspring.

Kaimal A, Hooversmith J, Al Mansi M, Cherry A, Garrity J, Holmes P Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025; 15():1479838.

PMID: 39839474 PMC: 11747983. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1479838.

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