The Effect of Bisphenol A on Oxidative Stress Indices and Pathological Changes in the Brain of Chicken Embryos

Abstract

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an important environmental contaminant. It may pose a significant health risk to various organisms including humans due to the increased early life exposure. The present study was designed to investigate the possible effects of BPA on pathological changes and oxidative stress in the brain tissue of chicken embryos. Fertile eggs were randomly divided into three groups of 40 eggs in two test groups and 20 eggs in the control group. On day 4, 50 or 200 ppm of BPA were pipetted into the air sacs of the eggs within the test groups. The eggs within the control group only received olive oil. The eggs were placed horizontally in the incubator at 37°C and a relative humidity of 63%. The experiment was terminated on day 20 of incubation. Then, the embryos were decapitated and brains were collected for biochemical and pathological analyses. Results showed a significant increase in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the test group exposed to the high concentration of BPA as well as increased protein concentrations in two test groups compared to control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, sever pathological changes were observed in the test group exposed to the high concentration of BPA. BPA affects developmental brain via impairment of the antioxidant defense systems and enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Abbreviations: BPA Bisphenol-A