Reproductive Toxicology 24 (2007) 225–239 Review An ecological assessment of bisphenol-A: Evidence from comparative biology D. Andrew Crain a,∗ , Marcus Eriksen b , Taisen Iguchi c , Susan Jobling d , Hans Laufer e , Gerald A. LeBlanc f , Louis J. Guillette Jr. g a Department of Biology, Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804-5907, United States b Algalita Marine Research Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, United States c National Institutes of National Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan d Institute for the Environment, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK e Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States f Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States g Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States Received 7 March 2007; received in revised form 9 May 2007; accepted 11 May 2007 Available online 18 May 2007 Abstract This review assesses the effects of environmental concentrations of bisphenol-A (BPA) on wildlife. Water concentrations of BPA vary tremen- dously due to proximity to point and non-point sources, but reported concentrations in stream/river water samples are less than 21 g/L, and concentrations in landfill leacheate are less than 17.2mg/L. Extensive evidence indicates that BPA induces feminization during gonadal ontogeny of fishes, reptiles, and birds, but in all cases the amount of BPA necessary to cause such ontogenetic disruption exceeds concentrations in the envi- ronment. Extensive evidence also exists that adult exposure to environmental concentrations of BPA is detrimental to spermatogenetic endpoints and stimulates vitellogenin synthesis in model species of fish. Most of the reported effects of BPA on vertebrate wildlife species can be attributed to BPA acting as an estrogen receptor agonist, but mechanisms of disruption in invertebrates are less certain. A comparison of measured BPA environmental concentrations with chronic values suggests that no significant margin of safety exists for the protection of aquatic communities against the toxicity of BPA. Further studies should examine the most vulnerable vertebrate and invertebrate species. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Bisphenol-A (BPA); Wildlife; Reproduction; Environmental concentrations; Vitellogenin; Landfill leachate; Spermatogenesis Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 226 2. BPA in the environment .................................................................................................. 226 3. Effects of BPA on wildlife ............................................................................................... 228 3.1. Sex determination ................................................................................................. 228 3.2. Gonadal function and secondary sexual characteristics ................................................................ 230 3.2.1. Vertebrates ............................................................................................... 230 3.2.2. Invertebrates ............................................................................................. 231 3.3. Vitellogenin production ............................................................................................ 232 3.3.1. Fish ..................................................................................................... 232 3.3.2. Amphibians .............................................................................................. 233 3.3.3. Invertebrates ............................................................................................. 233 ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 865 981 8238; fax: +1 865 981 8175. E-mail address: drew.crain@maryvillecollege.edu (D.A. Crain). 0890-6238/$ – see front matter © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.05.008