Abstract
Background: Environmental endocrine disruptors, which have a profound impact on the reproductive system, can cause endocrine and reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a common endocrine disruptor which can affect the function of the reproductive system under low-dose conditions. However, the mechanism by which this molecule disrupts normal reproduction is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPA on the RNA methyltransferase METTL3 in adolescent female rats which may be a possible mode of action of BPA. Methods: 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were intragastrically treated for 10 weeks, which were divided into blank group (n = 8), control group (soybean oil, n = 8), three BPA-treatment groups (0.5 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, 5 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, 50 mg/kg BPA + soybean oil, n = 8). Results: The results showed that low-dose BPA (0.5 mg/kg) increased the coefficient of uteri and ovaries, and promoted the growth of uteri in rats without causing hyperandrogenism and ovarian polycystic changes. Oral BPA disturbed the expression of CYP17A1, CYP11A1 and METTL3 in ovaries and effected the level of serum testosterone. Conclusions: Our results suggested that oral BPA might interfere uterine and ovarian morphology and the level of hormone with RNA methylation by disturbing the expression level of METTL3. RNA methylation will be a new way to explain the interference mechanism of BPA.