The passive avoidance task ameliorate the toxic effects of bisphenol A on dopamine D1 receptor density in hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats

INTRODUCTION: Dopamine D1 receptor seems to play a role in mediating plasticity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of passive avoidance tasks postexposed to BPA on dopamine D1 receptor density in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats. METHODS: Thirty‐five male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 220.300 g, in standard light‐dark 12 h light/12 h dark were used in the present study; water and food were ad libitum. Animals were divided into six groups. Administration of BPA 5 and 50 mg/kg/day were gavaged for 15 days. Learning and memory assessment were done by a shuttle box after 15 days of BPA administration. The density of the dopamine D1 receptor was investigated using an immunohistochemistry (IH) procedure. For determining the color difference in IH sections, Image Analyzer software was used. The data were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey's as a post hoc test. RESULTS: The data showed that BPA in both doses could significantly increase the density of dopamine D1 receptors in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats; learning in rats postexposed to BPA improves dopamine D1 receptor density significantly in three brain structures. DISCUSSION: According to the results, passive avoidance learning and memory can improve the density of dopamine D1 receptors in the hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum of male rats.