Early exposure to a low dose of bisphenol A affects socio-sexual behavior of juvenile female rats
Abstract
Play behavior is affected by alteration of the hormonal environment during development. In fact, congenital adrenal hyperplasia or early administration of diethylstilbestrol are able to modify female play behavior in mammals. In this research, play behavior of female rats was used to explore the effects of perinatal exposure to low, environmentally relevant dose of bisphenol A (BPA), a xenoestrogen widely diffused in the environment. We used 18 females born to mothers exposed to 40 microg/kg/day BPA during pregnancy and lactation, and 18 control females. The subjects were observed in a heterosexual social situation from 35 to 55 days of age. Six main behaviors were identified by principal component analysis (PCA): exploration, defensive behavior to males, play behavior with males, play behavior with females, low-intensity mating behavior, social grooming. Early administration of BPA was responsible for a significant increase of exploration (including social investigation) (p<0.001), as well as a decrease of play with males (p<0.02) and social grooming (p<0.01) at 45 days of age, indicating a general decrease of playful interactions. In general our results suggest that BPA does not induce a clear masculinization of female behavior, but is able however to defeminize some aspects of female behavior. This result is compatible with the estrogenic properties of BPA, and suggests caution in the use of a chemical that, in the range of human exposure, is able to influence the development of the brain during a critical period, resulting in long-term effects on behavior.
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In a study of juvenile rat social behavior, BPA reduced social interest in both sexes, but a lower dose increased social approach and interactions in females.
“In a study comparing male and female rat juvenile social behavior, BPA reduced social interest in both sexes but a lower dose exposure increased social approach and interactions in females [17].”
From Gestational Exposure to Low Dose Bisphenol A Alters Social Behavior in Juvenile Mice (2011) · cites this paper as [17]
In none of the three studies (Porrini et al., 2005; Dessi-Fulgheri et al., 2002; Wolstenholme et al., 2011) was the litter statistically controlled.
“However, in none of those three studies was the litter statistically controlled.”
From Developmental Treatment with Ethinyl Estradiol, but Not Bisphenol A, Causes Alterations in Sexually Dimorphic Behaviors in Male and Female Sprague Dawley Rats (2014) · cites this paper as Porrini et al., 2005
Estrogens or estrogenic EDCs are involved in the development of play behavior in rats.
“However, recent research showed that estrogens or estrogenic EDCs are also involved in the development of play behavior in rats [15–19].”
From Developmental exposure to low levels of ethinylestradiol affects social play in juvenile male rats (2020) · cites this paper as [16]
BPA exposure is associated with cognitive and social impairments in rodents.
“and it is associated with cognitive and social impairments in rodents [ 48 , 133–135 ].”
From DNA methylation: a mechanism linking environmental chemical exposures to risk of autism spectrum disorders? (2016) · cites this paper as [134]
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Developmental exposure to low levels of ethinylestradiol affects social play in juvenile male rats
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Porrini, S., Belloni, V., Seta, D. D., Farabollini, F., Giannelli, G., & Dessì-Fulgheri, F.
- Affiliations
- University of Florence (IT)
- University of Siena (IT)
- ORCID
- Belloni, Virginia
- Venue
- Brain Research Bulletin
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-04
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 261-266
- ISSN
- 0361-9230 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2022926531
- Cited by
- 114
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 3.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Research Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Florence Research (University of Florence) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Keywords
- bisphenol A, endocrine disruptors, perinatal exposure, sociosexual behavior, xenoestrogens, social grooming, exploratory behavior, brain development, estrogenic effects, young rats
- MeSH terms
- Bisphenol A Compounds, Age Factors, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Benzhydryl Compounds, Estrogens, Non-Steroidal, Female, Grooming, Phenols, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Social Behavior, Time Factors, Principal Component Analysis, Rats
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