Bisphenol A modulates receptivity and secretory function of human decidual cells: an in vitro study.

The human endometrium is a fertility-determining tissue and a target of steroid hormones' action. Endocrine disruptors (EDs) can exert adverse effects on the physiological function of the decidua at the maternal-fetal interface. We examined the potential effects of an ED, bisphenol A (BPA), on endometrial maturation/decidualization, receptivity, and secretion of decidual factors (biomarkers). In vitro decidualized, endometrial stromal cells from six hysterectomy specimens were treated with 1 pM-1 μM of BPA, for 24 h and assessed for cell viability and proliferation. Three non-toxic concentrations of BPA (1 μM, 1 nM, and 1 pM) were selected to study its influence on secretion of cell decidualization biomarkers (IGF-binding protein and decidual prolactin (dPRL)), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) secretion, and hormone receptors' expression (estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ); progesterone receptors (PRA and PRB); and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)/LH receptor (LH-R)). The results showed a decrease in cell viability (P<0.001) in response to BPA at the level of 1 mM. At the non-toxic concentrations used, BPA perturbed the expression of ERα, ERβ, PRA, PRB, and hCG/LH-R (P<0.05). Furthermore, 1 μM of BPA reduced the mRNA transcription of dPRL (P<0.05). Secretion of MIF was stimulated by all BPA treatments, the lowest concentration (1 pM) being the most effective (P