Effect of the Endocrine Disrupter BPA on the Rabbit Fetal Gonocyte Population - Abstract
Bisphenol-A (BPA), an environmental pollutant with estrogen-like activity, is extensively used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, leading to
widespread human exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Despite its detection in pregnant women, amniotic fluid, placenta, breast milk,
and cord blood, the impact of BPA on reproductive health remains unclear. Previous studies in murine models indicate potential effects on the male and female
reproductive systems during developmental and adult exposure. However, conflicting results and the considerable morphogenetic differences between murine
and human gonads raise concerns about the translatability of findings. Here, we explore the rabbit as an alternative model due to its physiological similarities
to humans in embryonic development. Gonocytes, essential for germline cell production, express pluripotency genes OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2, with a unique
regulation pattern during fetal development. In this work, we investigate the influence of BPA on the expression of these genes in rabbit fetal testes, aiming to
establish rabbits as an alternative model for studying male reproductive diseases. The findings suggest a potential synergistic effect with Leydig cell-mediated
steroidogenesis, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of gonocyte differentiation in larger mammals and highlighting rabbits as a valuable
model for male reproductive studies.
Simple Summary: The widespread use of the environmental pollutant Bisphenol-A (BPA) raises concerns about its potential impact on reproductive health,
including testis cancer. Despite murine studies indicating BPA’s influence on the male and female reproductive systems, contradictory results and uncertainties
persist, especially concerning the fetal testis. This study proposes the rabbit as an alternative model for assessing BPA’s effects on gonocyte differentiation
during fetal testis development. Gonocytes, vital for genetic transmission, express pluripotent genes (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2) during development. Through
molecular and immunocytochemical techniques, alterations in OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 expression are observed in rabbit testes exposed to BPA, suggesting
the rabbit is a potential alternative model for comprehending gonocyte differentiation in larger mammals and investigating male reproductive diseases.
This experimental model contributes to understanding the heterogeneous development mechanisms of gonocytes and highlights the rabbit’s potential as an
alternative model in studying the impact of endocrine disruptors on male reproductive health.