Antioxidant responses and whole-organism changes in Daphnia magna acutely and chronically exposed to endocrine disruptor bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well known endocrine disruptor. Significantly less is known about its ability to induce antioxidant defense and oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. This is an interesting subject because BPA can act both as a prooxidant (induces the formation of reactive oxygen species) and an antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to elucidate if BPA induces changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and the level of lipid peroxidation in crustacean Daphnia magna. These biomarkers were followed after acute (48 h) and chronic (21 d) exposure period. Interestingly, CAT and GSTs were changed in the same manner after both exposure durations. The most observable change in daphnids was the increase of GSTs activities, measured with 1,2-chloro-4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate. No GSTs activities with ethacrynic acid and 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene as substrates were detected. The activity of CAT and the level of lipid peroxidation remained unchanged in daphnids exposed to sublethal concentrations of BPA. The reproduction rate was considerably affected already at 1.73 mg/L while the growth was only affected at the highest concentration (13.8 mg/L), where also significant mortality was observed.

► We studied the effect of BPA on antioxidant system of daphnids.
► Daphnids successfully detoxify sublethal levels of BPA via GSTs route.
► No severe oxidative stress at these concentrations probably occurs.
► The reproduction of daphnids is considerably affected already at 1.73 mg/L of BPA.