Restorative effects of melatonin on bisphenol a-induced interference of gene expression in hypothalamic pituitary axis following early exposure

Abstract

Bisphenol-A is a standard monomer used in manufacturing plastics and epoxy resins, and it is widely used in food preservation and packaging. It is an endocrine-disrupting chemical miming the endogenous estradiol hormone. Melatonin regulates sleep-wake cycles and plays essential physiological roles in the body through its antioxidative properties. This research aims to ascertain the impact of Bisphenol A on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and determine melatonin's function on possible BPA-induced effects. Six adult male Wistar rats and 12 adult female Wistar rats of proven fertility were bred and organized into groups. These animals were subjected to subcutaneous injections of high and low doses of bisphenol A from postnatal days 0-3, then oral melatonin. The rats were allowed to mature into full-grown adults and euthanized at 120 ±4 days. The serum and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian tissues were collected for various assays. Compared to the control groups, groups administered varying doses of bisphenol A showed significant overexpression of estrogen and androgen receptors. Administration of Melatonin showed some reversal and reparative effects on damage of the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis. Elevated estrogen receptor levels induced by Bisphenol A altered receptor function. Melatonin showed some promising reparative effects.