Assessment of the Effects of Bisphenol A on Oxidative Stress in Bovine Granulosa Cells, Poster 15

The endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is linked to reductions in female fertility and quality of the egg (oocyte). In the ovary, the oocyte develops within a fluid-filled sac known as the antral follicle.... [ view full abstract ]

The endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) is linked to reductions in female fertility and quality of the egg (oocyte). In the ovary, the oocyte develops within a fluid-filled sac known as the antral follicle. Granulosa cells are a key component of the antral follicle as they help to regulate oocyte development. Oxidative stress (caused by an imbalance of pro- and anti-oxidants) within the granulosa cells could lead to oxidative damage and improper oocyte development. This study aimed to validate the use of assays to measure oxidative stress in granulosa cells that were isolated from bovine antral follicles and cultured over a 6-day period. Towards a comprehensive assessment of oxidative stress in granulosa cell cultures, several assays (total antioxidant, protein carbonyl, hydrogen peroxide) were tested and optimized. Future investigation will determine the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA on pro- and anti-oxidants in granulosa cells. Although BPA has been shown to induce oxidative stress in other cell types, this relationship has not been investigated in the ovary. Therefore this study will enable the assessment of oxidative stress in granulosa cells, in turn providing crucial new information about how BPA affects the function of the antral follicle and female fertility. This research was supported by NIH 1R15ES024520-01 (CC) and in part by the Biology Department, VGN-Middlebury Matching Fund, and SRPS (MS).