The fate of bisphenol A, bisphenol S, and their respective glucuronide metabolites in ovarian cells

Effects of Bisphenols on the Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes Considering the Patient Clinical Parameters

Context

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues disrupt endocrine functions, adversely impacting oocyte meiosis, maturation, and granulosa cell (GC) steroidogenesis.

Objective

To identify clinical factors, particularly adiposity and age, influencing ovarian cell sensitivity to bisphenol (BP) exposure.

Methods

This study analyzed a cohort of 368 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) from 2019 to 2023. Four BPs (BPA, BPS, BPF, and BPAF) were quantified, and ART outcomes (eg, oocyte count, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates) were assessed using regression models. GCs from 156 patients were cultured and exposed to BPS for 48 hours to evaluate progesterone and estradiol secretion based on clinical parameters.

Results

BPS and BPA were the most prevalent BPs in follicular fluid. BP exposure was associated with reduced fertilization rates (P = .05). Obesity tended to lower live birth rates (P = .08) but did not affect embryo development or implantation. Age significantly impacted embryo quantity (P < .001) and quality (P = .03). GC progesterone secretion was correlated with donor age after exposure to 1 µM and 10 µM BPS (P = .03 for both). GCs from younger women appeared more sensitive to BPS.

Conclusion

Although obesity did not affect embryonic development, its association with reduced live birth rates suggests a suboptimal environment for implantation and/or fetal development. Age was linked to lower antral follicle count, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates. Younger women's GCs may exhibit heightened sensitivity to BPS exposure, warranting further investigation.

Investigation of common and unreported parabens alongside other plastic-related contaminants in human milk using non-targeted strategies

Human milk studies analyzing widely used contaminants mainly utilize a targeted approach to screen and quantify a limited number of compounds. While targeted analysis allows health officials to quantify the levels of these chemicals in human milk, it fails to detect the presence of other unknowns that may be of equal importance. Hence, the objective of this study was to apply non-targeted analysis to detect and identify different prevalent contaminants, specifically common or unreported parabens as well as other plastic-related contaminants (PRCs) in human milk. Extracts of 594 human milk samples collected in Canada (Montreal) and South Africa (Vhembe and Pretoria) in 2018-2019 were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to confirm the presence of methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens. Additional investigations revealed the presence of sulfated species of these parabens, suggesting their conjugation potential in human milk. Further analysis using in-source fragmentation, identified the presence of four other parabens in human milk, including phenyl paraben as well as 2-ethylhexyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, an unusual paraben exclusive to South African samples. Other PRCs that were detected included several phthalate metabolites, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,3 diphenyl guanidine, a tire-related chemical. This is the first study to have used different non-targeted analyses for the detection and confirmation of several common and unusual parabens alongside different PRCs in human milk.

Investigating the role and mechanisms of bisphenol compounds in premature ovarian insufficiency using computational biology and bioinformatics

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency refers to the premature decline in ovarian function before the age of 40, resulting in menstrual irregularities or complete cessation of menstruation, and affecting fertility. Widely used bisphenol compounds may have potential health effects, including premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This study employs computational biology and bioinformatics to investigate the effects of bisphenols (BPs) on POI. Using bioinformatics tools, we identified potential target genes related to both bisphenols and POI, and conducted functional enrichment analysis. Further, we calculated differentially expressed genes for POI, extracted core networks, and explored immune function and screened core genes. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to explore the stable binding between bisphenols and core POI genes. Our results constructed a protein network of 56 potential target genes and extracted core subnetworks. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that estrogen metabolism, estrogen receptor pathways, steroid hormone metabolism, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism may be involved in the process of BPs-induced POI. The differentially expressed genes obtained through further screening, CYP1A1 and CYP19A1, were subjected to molecular docking and dynamics simulations to reveal the mechanism by which bisphenols participate in estrogen metabolism through their stable binding. Our findings underscore the role of bisphenols in inducing POI and the potential mechanisms involved, providing new directions for further epidemiological and molecular biological research into this regulatory process.

Conjugated bisphenol S metabolites in human serum and whole blood

Studies have shown that bisphenol S (BPS) is mainly present as its conjugated metabolites in human blood. However, the distribution of conjugated BPS metabolites in different human blood matrices has not been characterized. In this study, paired human serum and whole blood samples (n = 79) were collected from Chinese participants, and were measured for the occurrence of BPS and 4 BPS metabolites. BPS was detectable in 49% of human serum ( Collapse

Key Words

• BPS-G
• BPS-S
• Distribution
• Serum
• Whole blood

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MESH Headings

• Humans
• Phenols/blood
• Phenols/metabolism
• Sulfones/blood
• Sulfones/metabolism
• Male
• Female
• Environmental Pollutants/blood
• Environmental Pollutants/metabolism
• Adult
• Glucuronides/blood
• Glucuronides/metabolism
• Sulfuric Acid Esters/blood
• Middle Aged

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Affiliation(s)

Zhenling Fu Department of Pharmacy, Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, PR China
Hangbiao Jin Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, PR China
Weili Mao Department of Pharmacy, Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, PR China
Zefu Hu Department of Pharmacy, Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, PR China.

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