Changes in reproductive organs of female rats treated with bisphenol A during the neonatal period

The effects of neonatal administration of estrogenic agents on rat reproductive organs were examined. Either bisphenol A (BPA; 0.25, 1, or 4mg/pup) or 10 mug 17beta-estradiol (E-2) was given subcutaneously to Sprague-Dawley female rats during the neonatal period from post-natal day (PND) 0 to 9. Animals ovariectornized at 80 days were given subcutaneous injections of 1 mug/kg E-2 for 3 days from PND 94 to 96. Clefts in the clitoris, early vaginal opening, irregular estrous cycles, a decrease in the area occupied by the corpora lutea (CL) in the ovary, and multiple cystic follicles in the ovary were found in the animals treated neonatally with 1 mg BPA. Uterine fluid weight measured after E-2 treatment on PND 94-96 was less than controls. In addition to these abnormalities, unusual body weight gains, persistent vaginal cornification, and lack of CL were observed in females treated neonatally with 4 mg BPA. The ovary weight on PND 80 and uterine fluid weight measured after E-2 treatment on PND 94-96 were less than controls for the 4 mg BPA group. Neonatal treatment with 10 mug E-2 induced similar abnormalities as found in the 4 mg BPA group. These results show that BPA when given during the neonatal period caused changes in female reproductive organs. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.