Story of Bisphenol S – Steps from Bad to Worse

Žijeme v „době plastové“. Obrovské množství plastů vstupuje do životního prostředí a z tohoto materiálu se uvolňuje řada chemikálií s endokrinně disrupčními účinky. Bisfenol A (BPA) je znám jako jeden z takových účinných endokrinních disruptorů uvolňovaných z plastů. Tato látka vykazuje široké spektrum negativních efektů na zdraví zvířat i lidí. Proto bylo používání BPA v řadě lidských oborů omezeno a u mnoha výrobků je garantováno, že BPA neobsahují.  BPA může v plastech chybět, jen pokud je nahrazen jinými látkami. Jako náhrada za BPA se často používá bisfenol S (BPS), i když jeho endokrinně disrupční účinky jsou prozkoumány jen velmi málo. Jako chemikálie, jejíž používání podléhá mnohem slabší legislativní regulaci než její předchůdce, je nyní BPS používán v mnoha materiálech. Nově získávané poznatky ale stále jasněji ukazují, že BPS není zdaleka bezpečná látka. Nenápadná náhrada BPA za BPS může být vnímána jako zlepšení. Ale zdá se, že tomu přesně naopak. S tím, jak se BPS šíří naším „do plastu zabaleným“ světem, jsme se jen dostali z bláta do louže.We are living in the “Age of Plastics”. A vast amount of this material enters the environment, with chemicals released from the bulk of this matter often exhibiting endocrine-disrupting effects. Bisphenol A (BPA), originating from plastics, is well-known as such a potent endocrine disruptor. This compound exhibits wide spectra of detrimental effects on animal and human health. For these reasons, the use of BPA has been limited in many human activities and bisphenol A-free products are now guaranteed. As a key compound of many plastics, BPA could not be omitted from plastics without being replaced by other chemicals. Bisphenol S (BPS) is often chosen as a substitute for BPA, although its endocrine-disruptive effects are poorly known. As a chemical facing much less stringent legislation than BPA, its forerunner, BPS is now widely used in many materials. However, an increasing volume of new knowledge indicates that BPS is far from safe. The “silent” substitution of BPA with BPS could be perceived as an improvement. However, the converse appears to be true. With BPS spreading through our “plastic-encased” world, we are going from bad to worse

The bisphenol S contamination level observed in human follicular fluid affects the development of porcine oocytes

Bisphenol S (BPS), the main replacement for bisphenol A (BPA), is thought to be toxic, but limited information is available on the effects of Bisphenol S on ovarian follicles. In our study, we demonstrated the presence of Bisphenol S in the follicular fluid of women at a concentration of 22.4 nM. The effect of such concentrations of Bisphenol S on oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development is still unknown. Therefore, we focused on the effect of Bisphenol S on in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development. As a model, we used porcine oocytes, which show many physiological similarities to human oocytes. Oocytes were exposed to Bisphenol S concentrations similar to those detected in female patients in the ART clinic. We found a decreased ability of oocytes to successfully complete meiotic maturation. Mature oocytes showed an increased frequency of meiotic spindle abnormalities and chromosome misalignment. Alarming associations of oocyte Bisphenol S exposure with the occurrence of aneuploidy and changes in the distribution of mitochondria and mitochondrial proteins were demonstrated for the first time. However, the number and quality of blastocysts derived from oocytes that successfully completed meiotic maturation under the influence of Bisphenol S was not affected