title: Bisphenol A and ovarian steroidogenesis.
abstract: Bisphenol A is widely used as a component in polycarbonate plastics for food and beverage packaging, epoxy linings for canned foods, and dental sealants, among other applications. Experimental literature demonstrates BPA's affinity for estrogen receptors and downstream effects on estrogen-responsive genes. Additional data suggest that BPA reduces endogenous estrogen synthesis, likely by antagonizing ovarian enzyme activities involved in sex-steroid hormone synthesis. More specifically, evidence indicates BPA-mediated disruption of STAR, CYP450scc, and HSD-3β in theca cells and CYP450 aromatase activity in granulosa cells. Yet the results of the few human studies reported to date are equivocal. It also remains in question the extent to which BPA penetrates developing ovarian follicles. Uncertainty as to the relevance of experimental BPA doses and administration routes for common human exposure levels limits extrapolation of experimental results. To more definitively address the potential risk of BPA on human ovarian steroidogenesis, additional experimental studies using biologically active BPA doses likely to reflect those within the ovarian follicle will be necessary, as will additional prospective investigations in human populations with the use of standardized assay methodology.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, New York.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mok-Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California. Electronic address: victor.fujimoto@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Victor Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004967:Estrogens
keywords: Aromatase; bisphenol A (BPA); estrogen; peroxisome-proliferator activate receptor gamma (PPAR-γ); sex steroid hormones