Ingestion of BPA-containing breast milk disturbs the cecum microbiota and intestinal barrier contributing to growth inhibition of pre-weaning rabbits.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used industrial compound, is a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical associated with various diseases. However, its impact on intestinal function and growth remains insufficiently explored. This study investigated the effects of BPA-contaminated breast milk on growth performance in pre-weaning rabbits. Lactating rabbits were divided into control and BPA-exposed groups, and BPA concentrations in their breast milk were measured and compared. The results showed that BPA was detectable in milk and was transmitted to offspring in significant quantities. To evaluate the effects of BPA on pre-weaning rabbits, growth parameters (e.g., body and organ weights), blood indicators (e.g., antioxidant capacity and hormone levels), and cecal characteristics (e.g., microbiota composition, morphology, and barrier function) were analyzed. BPA exposure in nursing mothers significantly reduced the body and liver weights of their offspring, elevated BPA levels in the cecum, decreased antioxidant capacity, and induced thyroid dysfunction. Furthermore, BPA exposure disrupted the gut microbiota composition, reduced goblet cell numbers, thickened the intestinal mucosa and wall, and triggered inflammatory responses, thereby impairing intestinal barrier function. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that BPA exposure in lactating rabbits not only harms the mothers but is also transmitted to their offspring through breast milk. BPA disrupts normal metabolic and hormonal regulation and impairs intestinal function, ultimately leading to growth inhibition. This study enhances understanding of BPA-induced toxicity and provides valuable insights for preventing BPA-related diseases in humans.