Common chemical used in plastics can feminise males & masculinise females, study finds
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Communications Medicine, researchers have discovered that exposure to small amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound commonly used to make plastics and in food packaging, before birth can cause sex-specific changes in metabolism and the immune system. The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of the impact of environmental chemicals on human development and health.
BPA is a widely used chemical that is found in many everyday products, including plastic bottles, food packaging, and dental materials. It has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning that it can interfere with the body’s hormonal system, which is essential for regulating various physiological processes. The study’s authors set out to investigate the effects of BPA exposure on fetal development, particularly in relation to sex-specific changes in metabolism and the immune system.
The study found that even very low doses of BPA exposure before birth can alter the expression of genes involved in metabolism and the immune system. Specifically, the researchers observed that females were masculinised, while males were feminised, in terms of their gene expression profiles. This means that females exposed to BPA before birth had changes in their gene expression that made them more similar to males, while males had changes that made them more similar to females.
According to the study’s first author, “Even very low doses changed how the genes were expressed. Females were masculinised and males were feminised.” This finding is significant because it suggests that BPA exposure can have profound effects on the development of the fetus, particularly in relation to sex-specific traits.
The study’s authors used a mouse model to investigate the effects of BPA exposure on fetal development. They found that mice exposed to BPA before birth had changes in their metabolic and immune systems that were sex-specific. For example, female mice exposed to BPA had increased levels of testosterone, a male sex hormone, while male mice had decreased levels of testosterone.
The study’s findings have important implications for human health. Exposure to BPA has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. The study’s authors suggest that BPA exposure before birth may contribute to the development of these conditions by altering the expression of genes involved in metabolism and the immune system.
The study’s findings also highlight the need for greater regulation of BPA use in consumer products. Many countries have banned the use of BPA in certain products, such as baby bottles and sippy cups, but it is still widely used in many other products. The study’s authors argue that more needs to be done to reduce exposure to BPA, particularly for pregnant women and young children.
In conclusion, the study’s findings provide strong evidence that BPA exposure before birth can have sex-specific effects on metabolism and the immune system. The study’s authors hope that their findings will raise awareness about the potential risks of BPA exposure and prompt policymakers to take action to reduce exposure to this chemical.
As the study’s first author noted, “Our findings suggest that BPA exposure before birth can have profound effects on the development of the fetus, particularly in relation to sex-specific traits.” The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of the impact of environmental chemicals on human development and health, and highlight the need for greater regulation of BPA use in consumer products.
News Source: https://www.uu.se/en/news/2025/2025-10-27-bisphenol-a-causes-sex-specific-changes-in-metabolism-and-the-immune-system
About the Author
