Maternal Bisphenol A exposure impaired endochondral ossification in craniofacial cartilage of rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) offspring.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting compound, is present in the aquatic environment. BPA can mimic estrogen and cause adverse effects on development and reproduction in different organisms. As epigenetic modifications due to BPA exposure have been reported, the interest on the effects of this chemical has increased. To assess the potential effects of maternal BPA exposure on offspring bone development, adult Gobiocypris rarus (G. rarus) females were exposed to 15 μg L and 225 μg L BPA for 21 days. Eggs were collected after artificial spawning and fertilized with the fresh milt of non-exposed male fish. The offspring were raised in clean water and randomly selected for examination at different development stages. Our results showed that specific effects including poor quality of the embryos, increased malformation (bent spine and tail), and delayed craniofacial cartilage ossification of the larvae. Additionally, the transcripts of ossification related genes were significantly downregulated in offspring, and the lysyloxidase activity decreased. The present study demonstrated the maternal-mediated skeleton toxicity of BPA and its adverse effects on G. rarus.