Bisphenol A effects on the host Biomphalaria alexandrina and its parasite Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most potent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that adversely affect aquatic organisms. The present investigation explored the effects of exposure to BPA at 0.1 and 1 mgL^-1 concentrations on the fecundity of Biomphalaria alexandrina, snail's infection with Schistosoma mansoni, and histology of the ovotestis and topographical structure of S. mansoni cercariae emerged from exposed snails. The 24 h LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of BPA against B. alexandrina were 8.31 and 10.88 mgL^-1 BPA, respectively. The exposure of snails to 0.1 or 1 mgL^-1 BPA did not affect the snail's survival. However, these concentrations caused an increase in the reproductive rate (R_o) of infected snails. A slight decrease in egg production was observed in snails exposed to 0.1 mgL^-1 BPA after being infected (infected then exposed). However, a significant increase in egg production was noted in snails exposed to 1 mgL^-1 BPA after infection with S. mansoni. Histopathological investigations indicated a clear alteration in the ovotestis tissue structure of exposed and infected-exposed groups compared to the control snails. Chronic exposure to BPA caused pathological alterations in the gametogenic cells. SEM preparations of S. mansoni cercariae emerged from infected-exposed snails showed obvious body malformations. From a public health perspective, BPA pollution may negatively impact schistosomiasis transmission, as indicated by the disturbance in cercarial production and morphology. However, it has adverse effects on the reproduction and architecture of reproductive organs of exposed snails, indicating that B. alexandrina snails are sensitive to sublethal BPA exposure.

Keywords: Bisphenol A, Biomphalaria alexandrina, host-parasite interaction; Histopathology; Reproduction; Toxicity.