title: Bisphenol A and the female reproductive tract: an overview of recent laboratory evidence and epidemiological studies.
abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume monomer used for making a wide variety of polycarbonate plastics and resins. A large body of evidence links BPA to endocrine disruption in laboratory animals, and a growing number of epidemiological studies support a link with health disorders in humans. The aim of this review is to summarize the recent experimental studies describing the effects and mechanisms of BPA on the female genital tract and to compare them to the current knowledge regarding the impact of BPA impact on female reproductive health. In particular, BPA has been correlated with alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary hormonal production, reduced oocyte quality due to perinatal and adulthood exposure, defective uterine receptivity and the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Researchers have reported conflicting results regarding the effect of BPA on premature puberty and endometriosis development. Experimental studies suggest that BPA's mechanism of action is related to life stage and that its effect on the female reproductive system may involve agonism with estrogen nuclear receptors as well as other mechanisms (steroid biosynthesis inhibition). Notwithstanding uncertainties and knowledge gaps, the available evidence should be seen as a sufficient grounds to take precautionary actions against excess exposure to BPA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza", University of Rome, S, Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. donatella.caserta@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Segni
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallozzi
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giovanale
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marci
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000633:toxicity*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D046468:Sexual Development / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010636:Phenols; D010968:Plasticizers; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds