Adverse effects of maternal exposure to bisphenol F on the anxiety- and depression-like behavior of offspring

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor, is metabolized and eliminated rapidly from the body in adult animals. However, many authors have reported that perinatal BPA exposure alters development of the brain, reproductive system and behavior in the next generation. Recently, BPA substitutes, especially bisphenol F (BPF), have been used because of concerns about the influence of BPA on children, although the actual effects on the next generation are unknown. In this study, we observed behavioral adverse effects of the offspring of mice exposed to BPA or BPF in fetal period. Female C57BL/6 mice were given oral BPA or BPF (0 or 10 mg/kg body weight) daily from gestational day 11.5 to 18.5. The open field test, the elevated plus maze test and the forced swim test were performed at postnatal week 10. BPF exposure altered offspring behavior significantly, resulting in increases in anxiety and depressive state. The influence of BPF was stronger than that of BPA. We demonstrated novel evidence that BPF influences the behavior of offspring.