**The Ovary as a Target Organ for Bisphenol A Toxicity**

Anna Ptak, Marta Hoffmann and Agnieszka Rak

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.68241

#### **Abstract**

The ovary is a hormone‐sensitive organ that produces steroid hormones. Recent stud‐ ies show that bisphenol A (BPA) can affect female reproduction; thus, it is important to identify the possible toxic effects of BPA on the ovary because this organ is indispensable for fertility. This chapter summarises the effects of BPA on the ovary by describing how they directly affect folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis and receptor signalling and how they indirectly affect the expression of adipokines and/or their receptors, which exert endocrine or autocrine functions within the ovary.

**Keywords:** bisphenol A, ovary, folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, ovarian cancer, adipokines
