Developing male rats exposed to bisphenol AF (BPAF) via their mothers bioaccumulate the compound and have higher testis testosterone levels, according to a Chinese study. This exposure can impair reproductive function, the authors say.
BPAF is a fluorinated derivative of bisphenol A. It is used as a crosslinker in fluoroelastomers and as a monomer for speciality polymers. It has oestrogenic properties, but its effects on development are little understood.
The authors, from Beijing's Chinese Academy of Sciences, fed gestating and lactating rats the compound. They found the offspring were exposed via cord blood and milk.
In male offspring BPAF accumulated in the testis and increased testosterone levels.
The authors found that 279 genes were differentially expressed and gene expression between two adjacent germ cell types was disrupted.
The study is published in the Journal Chemosphere. (Chemical Watch)
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