Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica – Graduate Program in Biochemistry

The thesis is part of a central line of research at the PPGBQA that seeks to respond to a demand of extreme importance worldwide, the impact of environmental contaminants on organisms. The thesis evaluated the effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA) on male fertility in animal models (Zebra fish and immature rats). BPA is a monomer that constitutes the basic unit of polymers for the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastic that are used in the manufacture of food utensils and packaging. Studies of the metabolic alterations resulting from the exposure of fish and mammals are essential for understanding the impact of BPA contamination. The results of the thesis demonstrated that BPA impairs the homeostasis of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) in the testes, testicular energy metabolism and spermatogenesis, through non-genomic and genomic mechanisms, being useful for a broader view of the effects of this contaminant.

Check out the articles derived from the thesis:

Batista-Silva H, Dambrós BF, de Moura KRS, Elie N, Delalande C, Van Der Kraak G, Silva FRMB. Calcium influx and spermatogenesis in the testis and liver enzyme activities in the zebrafish are rapidly modulated by the calcium content of the water. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2022. 

Batista-Silva H, Rodrigues K, de Moura KRS, Elie N, Van Der Kraak G, Delalande C, Silva FRMB. In vivo and in vitro short-term bisphenol A exposures disrupt testicular energy metabolism and negatively impact spermatogenesis in zebrafish. Reprod Toxicol. 2022 Jan;107:10-21.