The Effect of Oral Administration of Bisphenol A and AF on Their Deposition in the Body Organs of Growing Pigs and the Relationship to Growth Rate

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues, such as bisphenol AF (BPAF), are widely used mainly in the plastic industry. These compounds can leach into the environment and negatively impact living organisms, including farm animals such as pigs. The aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations of BPA and BPAF in plasma and tissues of pigs after oral administration at a lower-20 µg (10 µg BPA + 10 µg BPAF)/kg body weight (b.w.)/day-and higher dose-60 µg (30 µg BPA + 30 µg BPAF)/kg b.w./day-for 21 days. The concentrations of BPA and BPAF in plasma and liver were monitored immediately after finishing the bisphenols administration, as well as two and four weeks after that. Generally, pigs receiving higher doses of BPA/BPAF showed the highest levels across most parameters, followed by those with lower doses and the control group. Results showed that both bisphenols remained in the organs of experimental pigs for two and four weeks after the administration was completed, respectively. Results also showed that the growth rate did not have a significant effect on the accumulation of bisphenols in pig tissues. The results of the present study have shown that oral administration of bisphenols led to an increase in the concentration of BPA and BPAF in plasma and other tissues of young pigs. Moreover, the fact that both BPA and BPAF were also detected in control pigs suggests that the farm environment was contaminated with these substances. This may pose a risk not only to the health and performance of pigs but also to human health, through the consumption of pig organs.