Mutagenic effect of Bisphenol A on adult rat male germ cells and their fertility

•Bisphenol A (5 mg/kg/bw) exposure in adult male rats leads to an increase in (%) dominant lethal mutation rate.•Mid-spermatid and spermatocyte stages of spermatogenesis are most sensitive to BPA exposure.•BPA exposure increases DNA damage in rat sperm.•Reduction in the daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count and motility suggests that exposure of adult male rat to BPA leads to impairment in fertility.•The overall results of the present study reveals that BPA might act as mutagen in male germ cells.

The present study investigates the effects of Bisphenol A on the induction of dominant lethal mutation and male reproductive functions. The male rats were gavaged with BPA (10 μg, and 5.0 mg/kg/bw) over a period of six days and control group with vehicle. Each male was cohabited with untreated females sequentially over the period of eight weeks. The mated females were sacrificed on 15th day of gestation. The results revealed a significant increase in dominant lethal mutation rate during fourth and sixth week of mating intervals at 5.0 mg/kgbw dose of BPA. These findings demonstrate that mid-spermatids and spermatocytes are more sensitive to BPA exposure. The male rats sacrificed at the end of mating study showed an increase in the sperm DNA damage, and decrease in motility at higher dose. However, significant reductions in sperm production effects were observed at both lower and higher doses of BPA. These preliminary results indicate that BPA may be a weak male germ cell mutagen.