Study linked growing transgenerational infertility in men to BPA exposure

Researchers have cautioned that men’s exposure to chemicals, especially bisphenol A (BPA), can cause conditions in the testes that hinder sperm production and which could be inherited by their offspring up to three subsequent generations.

Using animal model, Dr. Elikanah Olusayo Adegoke and his research team investigated the effect of BPA (an endocrine-disrupting chemical commonly found in many consumer goods) on testis and sperm functions and whether the effects can be transferred to subsequent generations in male mice.

The scientists found that BPA, may elicit its reprotoxic effect on the exposed individual (father) and consequent transmission to offspring (males) in successive generations.

Their study entitled “Bisphenol A damages testicular junctional proteins transgenerationally in mice, “which aimed to establish/confirm BPA as the cause of the generational origins of male infertility was made available online in the journal Environmental Pollution.

The study findings included that exposure to BPA may lead to abnormalities in the testes, decreased sperm motility, decreased fertilizing competence, and transgenerational alteration of certain sperm proteins and the environment inside the testes that supports sperm production and its flow.

According to them, even the safe reference doses of BPA can cause induced conditions in the testes that could hinder sperm production or the inheritance of traits or characteristics from one generation to the next.

They said, “Overall, our results indicate that when fathers are exposed to chemicals that disrupt testicular proteins and affect gene inheritance, it plays a major role in causing male reproductive health issues.”

BPA exposure can happen through inhaling its aerosol particles, using skincare items containing BPA on the skin, or consuming food that has been prepared or served in containers coated with BPA.

Once BPA enters the body, it produces toxic effects on the health of humans and animals. Among its adverse health effects, it is well-documented that BPA impairs reproductive health, primarily because of its endocrine-disrupting activities.

BPA is a common environmental contaminant that has been shown to disrupt hormone-driven functions, such as reproduction. Hormones regulate the functioning of the male reproductive organ, the testis. It significantly affects the overall functionality of sperm.

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