Bisphenol A-induced morphological alterations in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells of immature Shiba goats in vitro: An ultrastructural study.

Abstract

Background and aims: There is no information currently available regarding the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on testes in ruminants. Therefore, to establish and clarify the effects of BPA in ruminants, testicular tissue cultures were obtained from immature Shiba goats. Methods: The testes of 2-month-old Shiba goats were cut into smaller pieces and seeded in medium. At 1, 3, 6 and 9h after administration of various concentrations of BPA, the specimens underwent light and transmission electron microscopic observations Results: At 1h after BPA treatment, vacuolization and nuclear membrane rupture appeared within the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Such alterations tended to gradually increase in number in time- and dose-dependent manners. Thus, because of BPA treatment, apoptotic spermatogenic cells, necrotic spermatogenic cells, apoptotic Sertoli cells and necrotic Sertoli cells could be identified. Particularly in the Sertoli cell, ruptured vesicles could be found within the multivesicular nuclear body. Conclusion: The treatment with BPA at a low concentration tends to lead spermatogenic and Sertoli cells to apoptosis, whereas a higher concentration tends to lead spermatogenic and Sertoli cells to necrosis. Therefore, this study showed that testicular tissue culture is an advantageous avenue for screening the testicular toxicity of chemicals in ruminants. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 205-210).