Bisphenol A-Induced Epigenetic Changes and Its Effects on the Male Reproductive System
Federica Cariati, Luigi Carbone, Alessandro Conforti, Francesca Bagnulo, Stefania Ramona Peluso, Consolata Carotenuto, Cira Buonfantino, Erminia Alviggi, Carlo Alviggi, Ida Strina
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread chemical agent which can exert detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. Exposure to BPA has been shown to induce several epigenetic modifications in both animal and human cells. Specifically, BPA could not only modify the methylation pattern of multiple genes encoding proteins related to reproductive physiology but also directly influence the genes responsible for DNA methylation. BPA effects include hormonal alterations, microscopic and macroscopic alteration of male reproductive organs, and inheritable epigenetic changes involving human reproduction. BPA exposure was also linked to prostate cancer. This review aims to show the current scenario of BPA-induced epigenetic changes and its effects on the male reproductive system. Possible strategies to counter the toxic effect of BPA were also addressed.