Toxicological Research

Korean Society of Toxicology & Korea Environmental Mutagen Society (한국독성학회)
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Inhalation Toxicity of Bisphenol A and Its Effect on Estrous Cycle, Spatial Learning, and Memory in Rats upon Whole-Body Exposure

  • Chung, Yong Hyun (Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemical Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Han, Jeong Hee (Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemical Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Lee, Sung-Bae (Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemical Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Lee, Yong-Hoon (Inhalation Toxicity Research Center, Chemical Research Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
  • Received : 2017.01.31
  • Accepted : 2017.03.14
  • Published : 2017.04.15
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Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in a polymerization reaction in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in many consumer products, including plastics, polyvinyl chloride, food packaging, dental sealants, and thermal receipts. However, there is little information available on the inhalation toxicity of BPA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine its inhalation toxicity and effects on the estrous cycle, spatial learning, and memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 10, 30, and $90mg/m^3$ BPA, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks via whole-body inhalation. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry, estrous cycle parameters, performance in the Morris water maze test, and organ weights, as well as gross and histopathological findings, were compared between the control and BPA exposure groups. Statistically significant changes were observed in serum chemistry and organ weights upon exposure to BPA. However, there was no BPA-related toxic effect on the body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, estrous cycle, performance in the Morris water maze test, or gross or histopathological lesions in any male or female rats in the BPA exposure groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for BPA in rats is above $90mg/m^3$/6 hr/day, 5 days/week upon 8-week exposure. Furthermore, BPA did not affect the estrous cycle, spatial learning, or memory in rats.

Keywords

References

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