Bisphenol A Disrupts Ribosome Function during Ovarian Development of Mice

This study examines the impact of Bisphenol A (BPA), a prevalent environmental estrogenic toxicant, on the ovarian development of mice. Mice were exposed to varying BPA doses from in utero to postnatal stages, up to weaning (day 21, PND 21) and puberty (day 45, PND 45). The BPA content in the serum of the offspring mice on PND 45 was higher than that of the mice sacrificed at PND 21. However, the ovary organ index of the mice of PND 21 was significantly increased, and the ovarian structure was damaged when exposed to BPA. In contrast, the mice with PND 45 did not show apparent ovarian lesions. On the other hand, granulosa cell apoptosis was detected in both PND 21 and PND 45 mice ovaries, and <i>ERβ</i> was increased under the influence of BPA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed BPA's significant impact on ribosomal gene expression, marked downregulation of <i>Rpl21</i> and <i>Rpsa</i>, and upregulation of <i>Rps2</i> in both age groups. These transcriptomic alterations were further corroborated by real-time PCR, highlighting a dose-dependent effect of BPA on <i>Rps2</i>. Our findings confirm BPA's detrimental effects on ovarian health, with more pronounced damage in younger mice, suggesting heightened vulnerability in this group. The study underscores ribosomes as critical targets in BPA-induced ovarian developmental disruptions.