Bisphenol A disrupts granulosa cell function

Grasselli, F.; Baratta, L.; Baioni, L.; Bussolati, S.; Ramoni, R.; Grolli, S.; Basini, G.

doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2010.01.004

« Previous Next »Domestic Animal Endocrinology
Volume 39, Issue 1 , Pages 34-39, July 2010

Bisphenol A disrupts granulosa cell function

F. Grasselli
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Italy
L. Baratta
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Italy
L. Baioni
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Italy
S. Bussolati
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Italy
R. Ramoni
- Sezione di Fisiologia and Sezione di Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy
S. Grolli
- Sezione di Fisiologia and Sezione di Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy
G. Basini
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Biotecnologie Veterinarie, Qualità e Sicurezza degli Alimenti, Sezione di Fisiologia Veterinaria, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy. Tel.: +39 0521 032775; fax: +39 0521 032770.

Received 13 October 2009; received in revised form 8 January 2010; accepted 10 January 2010. published online 22 February 2010.

Abstract

Because of its widespread use and potential adverse biological effects, bisphenol A (BPA) represents one of the most studied endocrine-disrupting compounds. Within the reproductive system, ovarian granulosa cells have been documented as a target of BPA action, but no consensus has been reached about functional modifications induced by BPA. On these bases, we studied the potential disrupting effects of BPA on the main granulosa cell functional activities, also taking into account a potential interference with the ovarian angiogenic process. Ovarian granulosa cells were isolated from porcine follicles and cultured in the presence or absence of BPA at different concentrations for 48h. Cell proliferation was studied by measuring adenosine triphosphate content. Progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17β (E2) production was determined by radioimmunoassay. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) output was quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Redox status was monitored by measuring superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, and by determining the activities of the scavenging enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase by colorimetric methods. Granulosa cell proliferation as well as redox status resulted unaffected by BPA. Concentrations of E2 were stimulated by the lower BPA concentration, whereas they were inhibited by the larger doses tested. P4 output was decreased by all BPA concentrations. To the contrary, VEGF production was stimulated. Data indicate that BPA can interfere with reproductive activity by affecting granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro; furthermore, BPA can exert a promoting effect on the ovarian angiogenic process by increasing VEGF output in pigs. A disruption of this finely tuned process seems particularly relevant because of the risk of uncontrolled neovascularization.