Gene expression changes in sexually dimorphic brain region of dose response, bisphenol A treated male sprague-dawley rats / Nadia Abu Bakar

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one type of monomer that is widely used to manufacture polycarbonate plastic, resin lining of cans and others. The ester bond in the BP A­ based polymers is so much prone to the hydrolysis, in which leaching of BPA has becoming accessible to human. BP A has been proven by many studies that it can bind weakly to both estrogen receptors; ER α and ER β, known also as xenoestrogen. The aim of this study is to observe gene expression changes of ER α and ER β receptor in brain and any physical changes in body weight of the Sprague­ Dawley rats after exposure to BP A through force-feeding. The rats are divided into 6 groups; the positive control group, negative control group, 50µg/kg/day group, 500µg/kg/day group, 1 OOOµg/kg/day group and also 5000µg/kg/day group in which all are treated for 14 Days and weighted daily. The rats are sacrificed and the brain is taken and kept well in the -80°C fridge. The primer for gene of interest is designed in appropriate to the gene of interest. RNA template is prepared and undergone the RT-PCR before the electrophoresis process. Based on the result of this study, it can be concluded that at lower doses, the body weight increases more (p<0.05) as compared to the higher doses. This study fails to obtain the band of the ER α and ER β gene expression which can be due to many reasons and error such as the phenolic contamination of RNA sample, unsuitable PCR profiling and others. Many precaution steps such as proper regulation of the cleanliness and sterility of the working area can be taken to improve further study outcomes in the future.