Fig. 4

The role of exposure to BPA in antioxidant activities, antioxidation and apoptosis levels, and apoptosis of the type A COT tissues of Hu ewes on d 130 of gestation. A–C Antioxidant activity T-AOC (A), GSH-Px and SOD (B), and MDA (C). D Antioxidant-associated genes are expressed at the mRNA level. E Representative immunoblots showing proteins involved in antioxidant processes. F Expressions of antioxidant-related proteins. G Apoptotic gene levels. H Typical immunoblots of proteins involved in apoptosis. I Expressions of proteins that are linked to apoptosis. Data are presented as means ± SEM, n = 8. Means with no common letter are different (P < 0.05). BPA group, pregnant Hu ewes receiving Bisphenol A (5 mg/kg/d mixed sufficiently into corn oil) through subcutaneous injection; Bax, Bcl-2-associated X protein; Bcl-2, B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia 2; CON group, pregnant Hu ewes receiving corn oil only; CAT, catalase; COT, cotyledonary; Fas, apoptosis antigen 1; GPx1, glutathione peroxidase 1; GSH-Px, glutathione peroxidase; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1; MDA, malondialdehyde; NQO1, quinone oxidoreductase 1; Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; SOD, superoxide dismutase; T-AOC, total antioxidant capacity