Bisphenol Analogs Downregulate the Self-Renewal Potential of Spermatogonial Stem Cells
S. S. Kim, Seung Hee Shin, Seok‐Man Kim, Sang-Eun Jung, Beom-Jin Shin, Jin Seop Ahn, Kyoung Taek Lim, Dong‐Hwan Kim, Kichoon Lee, Buom‐Yong Ryu
Abstract
PURPOSE: transplantation models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: transplantation and subsequent testis analysis. RESULTS: BPF exhibited a similar inhibitory effect on SSCs as BPA, demonstrating a significant decrease in SSC survival, inhibition of proliferation, and induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, while BPS was comparatively weaker than BPA and BPF, it still showed significant SSC cytotoxicity. Importantly, SSCs exposed to BPA, BPF, and BPS exhibited a significant reduction in donor SSC-derived germ cell colonies per total number of cultured cells, indicating that, like BPA, BPF, and BPS can induce a comparable reduction in functional SSCs in the recipient animals. However, the progress of spermatogenesis, as evidenced by histochemistry and the expressions of PCNA and SSC specific markers, collectively indicates that BPA, BPF, and BPS may not adversely affect the spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the major BPA substitutes, BPF and BPS, have significant cytotoxic effects on SSCs, similar to BPA. These effects may lead to a reduction in the functional self-renewal stem cell population and potential impacts on male fertility.