In vitro exposure of human spermatozoa to bisphenol A induces pro-oxidative/apoptotic mitochondrial dysfunction

As bisphenol A (BPA) exerts oxidative/pro-apoptotic effects in several cell types, we explored whether the in vitro exposure to BPA could affect human sperm integrity through the induction of prooxidative/apoptotic mitochondrial dysfunction. The exposure of motile sperm suspensions to scalar BPA concentrations for 4 h produced a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, starting from 300 mu M. It was associated with an increased mitochondria] generation of superoxide anion, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation and motility decrement. Vitality decline was observed at BPA >= 400 mu M. Twenty hours exposure to 300 mu M BPA, but not to lower concentrations, produced a significant loss in sperm vitality associated with a complete sperm immobilization. Finally, 300 mu M BPA also produced a significant DNA oxidative damage, as revealed by the formation of oxidized base adduct 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. In conclusion, BPA affected human sperm integrity by inducing pro-oxidative/apoptotic mitochondrial dysfunction. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.