BioScientifica, Reproduction, 2(150), p. 115-125, 2015
DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0601
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The human endometrium is a fertility-determining tissue and a target of steroid hormones' action. Endocrine disruptors (EDs) can exert adverse effects on the physiological function of the decidua at the maternal - fetal interface. We examined the potential effects of an ED, bisphenol A (BPA), on endometrial maturation/decidualization, receptivity and secretion of decidual factors (biomarkers). In vitro decidualized, endometrial stromal cells from six hysterectomy specimens were treated with 1 pM - 1 mM of BPA, for 24 h and assessed for cell viability and proliferation. Three non-toxic concentrations of BPA (1 μM, 1 nM, 1 pM) were selected to study its influence on secretion of cell decidualization biomarkers (insulin-like growth factor binding protein, IGFBP-1; decidual prolactin, dPRL), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) secretion and hormone receptors' expression (estrogen receptors: ERα, ERβ; progesterone receptors: PRA, PRB; human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor: hCG/LH-R). The results showed a decrease in cell viability (P<0.001) in response to BPA at the level of 1 mM. At the non-toxic concentrations used, BPA perturbed the expression of ERα, ERβ, PRA, PRB, and hCG/LH-R (P<0.05). Furthermore, 1 μM of BPA reduced the mRNA transcription of dPRL (P<0.05). Secretion of MIF was stimulated by all BPA treatments, the lowest concentration (1 pM) being the most effective (P<0.001). The multi-targeted disruption of BPA on decidual cells, at concentrations commonly detected in the human population, raises great concern about the possible consequences of exposure to BPA on the function of decidua and thus its potential deleterious effect on pregnancy.