Bisphenol S Impairs Oestradiol Secretion during In Vitro Basal Folliculogenesis in a Mono-Ovulatory Species Model

Bisphenol S (BPS) affects terminal folliculogenesis by impairing steroidogenesis in granulosa cells from different species. Nevertheless, limited data are available on its effects during basal folliculogenesis. In this study, we evaluate in vitro the effects of a long-term BPS exposure on a model of basal follicular development in a mono-ovulatory species. We cultured ovine preantral follicles (180-240 mu m, n = 168) with BPS (0.1 mu M (possible human exposure dose) or 10 mu M (high dose)) and monitored antrum appearance and follicular survival and growth for 15 days. We measured hormonal secretions (oestradiol (at day 13 [D13]), progesterone and anti-Mullerian hormone [D15]) and expression of key follicular development and redox status genes (D15) in medium and whole follicles, respectively. BPS (0.1 mu M) decreased oestradiol secretion compared with the control (-48.8%, p < 0.001), without significantly impairing antrum appearance, follicular survival and growth, anti-Mullerian hormone and progesterone secretion and target gene expression. Thus, BPS could also impair oestradiol secretion during basal folliculogenesis as it is the case during terminal folliculogenesis. It questions the use of BPS as a safe BPA substitute in the human environment. More studies are required to elucidate mechanisms of action of BPS and its effects throughout basal follicular development.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the effects of BPS on basal follicular development and finds that it can decrease estradiol secretion without significantly affecting antrum appearance, follicular survival and growth. This raises concerns about the safety of using BPS as a substitute for BPA.