Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical widely used to make polycarbonate plastics for packaging and epoxy resins. This study sought to examine how selenium (Se) affects BPA toxicity in terms of albino rats’ histological structure, antioxidant enzymes, sexual hormones, and reproductive organs (seminiferous tubule (coiled tubule) diameter, epithelial height and sperm count). Adult male rats were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1: The control; Group 2: Orally administered sodium selenite (10 μg/kg bw/day) for 4 weeks; Group 3: Orally administered BPA (10 μg/kg bw/day) for 4 weeks; Group 4: Treated daily with BPA (10 μg/kg bw/day) followed by Se (orally administered, 10 μg/kg bw/day) for 5 times per 4 weeks. BPA exposure caused changes in the testicular histological structure, which included apoptosis, and led to changes in several biochemical markers: Malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additional changes occurred in the plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, body and reproductive organ weights, and sperm counts. However, these BPA-induced effects were significantly ameliorated in rats treated with BPA-plus-Se. This protective effect of Se is attributable to its ability to remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents in living organisms. The results confirmed that Se countered the oxidant effects and increased the BPA-induced stress response in rats. Hence, Se promotes the healthy growth and development of mammals by protecting them from oxidative stress.

Key words: Bisphenol A, selenium, testis, histology, oxidative stress, rats.

Abbreviation

Bisphenol A, [BPA, 2, 2-bis (hydroxyphenyl) propane]; Se, Selenium; MDA, Malondialdehyde; SOD, Superoxide dismutase; GPx, glutathione peroxidases; GPx1, Glutathione Peroxidase 1; GPx4, Glutathione Peroxidase 4; GSH, superoxide dismutase;  CAT, catalase;  LH, luteinizing hormone; FSH, Follicle stimulating hormone; EDC, endocrine disrupting chemicals; ROS, reactive oxygen species; GR, oxidised glutathione; H₂O₂,  hydrogen peroxide; NADPH, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate;  FZCS, fluorescence activated cell sorting; PBS, Phosphate buffered saline.