The endocrine disruptor bisphenol A may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent girls

AimExperimental in vitro studies have shown that bisphenol A affects steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis and ovarian morphology. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A in the aetiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents and its relationship with metabolic parameters, insulin resistance and obesity in this population. MethodsA total of 112 girls with PCOS and 61 controls between 13 and 19years of age were enrolled in the study. Serum bisphenol A levels were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. ResultsAdolescents with PCOS had markedly increased serum bisphenol A levels (mean: 1.1ng/mL 95% CI: 1.0-1.2) than controls (mean: 0.8ng/mL 95% CI: 0.6-0.9, p=0.001). When we compared the subgroups according to obesity, the main factor determining the significant increase in bisphenol A was the presence of PCOS, but not obesity (p=0.029). Bisphenol A was significantly correlated with total testosterone (r=0.52), free testosterone (r=0.44), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (r=0.37) and Ferriman-Gallwey score (r=0.43) (p<0.05). ConclusionAdolescents with PCOS had higher serum bisphenol A levels than controls, independent of obesity. Bisphenol A concentrations were significantly correlated with androgen levels, leading us to consider that bisphenol A might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of PCOS in adolescents.