Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
29/05/2013
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Long exposure to bisphenol A and DNA changed behavior of guinea pigs.
Compound used in baby bottles has been banned in Brazil and many other countries.
Bisphenol A was present in some baby bottles
banned in several countries (Photo: Fred Dufour / AFP)
Exposure of pregnant female mice to a substance in plastics and cans, called bisphenol A, can alter brain function and behavior of offspring in the womb, says a new survey by the University of Columbia, USA. This compound is present in the polycarbonate, a type of hard and transparent plastic, which are made of products such as bottles.
The study results were published in Monday's (27) American magazine "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS). The authors, led by scientist Frances Champagne, exposed guinea pigs and their offspring at low and repeated doses of bisphenol A and saw that the fetus suffered sexual changes in DNA - the changing enzymes and receptors of estrogen, a female hormone. Furthermore, there was a change in the expression of these genes in the brain of males and females and behavior, making them more anxious.
The team also identified other social changes in rodents, which are now more sniffing and chasing and assaulting others. Exposure to bisphenol A has changed, yet, some behaviors of females in postpartum, such as licking and caring for puppies.
In 2011, the National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA) banned the sale of plastic baby bottles made with bisphenol A in Brazil. The measure took effect in January last year. According to the agency at the time, there was no conclusive studies, but there was a suspicion that the substance could cause neurological problems in babies under 1 year. Other studies have suggested that the compound is capable of causing cancer.
The use of polycarbonate baby bottles have also been banned in European Union countries, Canada and Australia. The substance appears, still in plastic cups and bowls, but these products are still released. But experts recommend that this material is not heated, since heat favors the migration of bisphenol A in food.
Source: G1 - Welfare
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.