Korean J Perinatol.  2008 Sep;19(3):277-282.

The effect of bisphenol A on cell apoptosis pattern in the spinal cord of chick embryos

• Park TY
• Cha JY
• Choi SK
• Cho TI
• Kim JY
• Kim KJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on cell death pattern in neuronal development of chick embryos.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We planned to compare the cytokinetic features in the normal chick embryo and those with BPA. Fifteen eggs were divided into three GROUPS: the control group, BPA 50 microgram/g egg group and BPA 200 microgram/g egg group. Embryos were incubated for 56 hours (Hamburger & Hamilton stage 16) and then we injected BPA into embryos. The embryos were sectioned by 3 micrometer thickness at the level of wing buds and stained at 72 hours after incubation (HH stage 18). We observed cell death in the spinal cord using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.
RESULTS
The TUNEL-positivity markedly increased in proportion to the doses of BPA. The number of TUNEL-positive cells per section was 15.2+/-2.14 in the control group, 34.6+/-3.44 in the BPA 50 microgram/g egg group, 87.6+/-4.32 in the BPA 200 g/g egg group. Furthermore the contour of spinal cord was deformed as the doses of BPA raised.
CONCLUSION
BPA causes neuronal cell death and exerts cytotoxic effect on early chick embryos. It suggests that BPA might have an effect on cytogenesis during neural tube development.

Keyword

Chick embryo; Bisphenol A; Neural tube

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apoptosis
Benzhydryl Compounds
Cell Death
Chick Embryo
Eggs
Embryonic Structures
Neural Tube
Neurons
Ovum
Phenols
Spinal Cord
Wings, Animal
Benzhydryl Compounds
Phenols