Alterations in steroid hormone production by porcine ovarian granulosa cells caused by bisphenol A and bisphenol A dimethacrylate

We have investigated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and BPA-dimethacrylate (BPA-DMA), endocrine disruptors used as plasticizers, on steroid hormone production by porcine ovarian granulosa cells after 72 h incubation. BPA at 10−8 M to 10−5 M increased basal progesterone levels, while the same concentration range of BPA-DMA did not cause any changes. After FSH-stimulation of the cells, BPA-DMA showed a tendency to inhibit progesterone production. BPA, however, at 10−7 M and 10−6 M concentrations was even able to amplify FSH-stimulated progesterone synthesis. BPA as well as BPA-DMA inhibited FSH-induced estradiol production in the whole concentration range. LH-stimulated progesterone production was not altered by BPA in 10−8 M to 10−5 M, while BPA-DMA decreased progesterone levels in the cultured media. Significant inhibitory effect of both tested agents at 10−4 M concentrations was observed specifically on progesterone production, basal as well as gonadotropin-stimulated. The results indicate that ovarian steroidogenesis might be one of the possible sites afflicted by the endocrine disrupting action of BPA and BPA-DMA.