Multigenerational effect of maternal bisphenol A exposure on DNA methylation in F1 sperm

Backgrounds Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental contaminant, is known as an endocrine disruptor and has developmental, reproductive, and epigenetic toxicity. These toxicities of BPA affect the next generations. Objectives In this study, we investigated whether these toxicities are based on germline-mediated epigenetic toxicity. Results We exposed pregnant mice (F0) to BPA and found direct reproductive toxicity in F0 and F1; significant developmental toxicity was observed in the kidney, testis, heart, lung, and thymus, as indicated by organ weights in F2. Global DNA methylation sequencing was performed in F1 sperm, and we observe alteration of DNA methylation in BPA-exposed groups, and the association between the altered genes and F2 developmental toxicity was confirmed. Conclusion Our study suggests that alteration of sperm DNA methylation following BPA exposure can be passed on to the next generation as germline mediated and cause disease and developmental toxicity.