Repercussions of Bisphenol A on the Physiology of Human Osteoblasts

(1) Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is widely present in the environment and exerts adverse effects on various body tissues. The objective of this study was to determine its repercussions on bone tissue by examining its impact on selected functional parameters of human osteoblasts. (2) Methods: Three human osteoblast lines were treated with BPA at doses of 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁶, or 10⁻⁷ M. At 24 h post-treatment, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization was observed. (4) Results: The expression of CD54 and CD80 antigens was increased at doses of 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶ M, while the phagocytic capacity and the expression of osteogenic genes (ALP, COL-1, OSC, RUNX2, OSX, BMP-2, and BMP-7) were significantly and dose-dependently reduced in the presence of BPA. (5) Conclusions: According to these findings, BPA exerts adverse effects on osteoblasts by altering their differentiation/maturation and their proliferative and functional capacity, potentially affecting bone health. Given the widespread exposure to this contaminant, further human studies are warranted to determine the long-term risk to bone health posed by BPA.     

Lactic fermentation of cooked navy beans by Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 aimed at a potential production of functional legume-based foods

In recent years, scientific interest in the development of non-dairy-based functional foods is increasing progressively and the fermentation of cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetable-based foods is becoming an important scientific research topic for the production of new probiotic products. In particular, legumes represent a possible alternative to protein foods from animal origins and an adequate fermentation substrate as they contain high amount of nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fibres, vitamins, and minerals, which are all useful to the growth and metabolic activity of certain microorganisms. This work focuses on the feasibility of developing a dry legume-based functional product using a fermentation process carried out on a 10% w/v navy bean suspension, in a lab-scale stirred batch reactor. After soaking and cooking dried navy beans, the fermentation tests performed on the resulting medium using Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 showed a maximum bacterial count of 10⁹ CFU/mL after 20 hours and a maximum lactic acid concentration of 1.9 g/L after 16 hours of process time. A freeze-drying process was performed on the fermented bean suspension, showing a 2-log microbial reduction and a bacterial viability in the resulting probiotic powder of 3.7 × 10⁸ CFU/g.     

Production of a Potentially Probiotic Product for Animal Feed and Evaluation of Some of Its Probiotic Properties

Nowadays, probiotics have been proposed for substituting antibiotics in animal feed since the European Union banned the latter compounds in 2006 to avoid serious side effects on human health. Therefore, this work aimed to produce a probiotic product for use in animal feed by fed-batch fermentation of whey with a combination of kefir grains, AGK1, and the fermented whole milk used to activate these kefir grains. The probiotic culture obtained was characterized by high levels of biomass (8.03 g/L), total viability (3.6 × 10⁸ CFU/mL) and antibacterial activity (28.26 Activity Units/mL). Some probiotic properties of the probiotic culture were investigated in vitro, including its survival at low pH values, under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, after freezing in skim milk at −20 °C, and in the commercial feed during storage at room temperature. The viable cells of lactic and acetic acid bacteria and yeasts exhibited higher tolerance to acidic pH and simulated gastrointestinal conditions when the cells were protected with skim milk and piglet feed, compared with washed cells. The results indicated the feasibility of producing a probiotic product at a low cost with a potential application in animal feed.     

Consumption of Synbiotic Bread Decreases Triacylglycerol and VLDL Levels While Increasing HDL Levels in Serum from Patients with Type-2 Diabetes

To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the favorable effects of synbiotic bread consumption on blood lipid profiles among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the daily consumption of synbiotic bread on blood lipid profiles of patients with T2DM. This randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial was performed with 78 diabetic patients, aged 35–70 years. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to consume either synbiotic (n = 26), probiotic (n = 26) or control bread (n = 26) for 8 weeks. The synbiotic bread contained viable and heat-resistant probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes (1 × 10⁸ CFU) and 0.07 g inulin (HPX) as prebiotic per 1 g. The probiotic bread contained L. sporogenes (1 × 10⁸ CFU) per 1 g. Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic, probiotic and control breads three times a day in a 40 g package for a total of 120 g/day. Biochemical measurements including blood lipid profiles were conducted before and after 8 weeks of intervention. Consumption of the synbiotic bread, compared to the probiotic and control breads, led to a significant decrease in serum TAG (P = 0.005), VLDL-C (P = 0.005), TC/HDL-C (P = 0.002) and a significant increase in serum HDL-C levels (P = 0.01). No significant effect of synbiotic bread consumption on FPG, TC, LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels was seen compared to the probiotic and control breads (P > 0.05). Trial registry code: http://www.irct.ir IRCT201311215623N13.     

Evaluation of the effect of probiotic cultures on two different yogurt brands over a known population of Staphylococcus aureus and the production of thermonuclease

The effect of probiotic cultures over known populations of Staphylococcus aureus inoculated in yogurt was studied; also the production and stability of its thermonuclease during yogurt storage was evaluated. In three different occasions, two different yogurt brands, one with additional probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus casei and L. acidophilus), were inoculated with known populations of S. aureus in high and low concentration (10(9) CFU/g and 10(7) CFU/g), respectively. These samples were stored for 28 days at 5 degrees C. Every four days the count of lactic bacteria, S. aureus and pH were evaluated, according to the methodology described in the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, Vanderzant & Splittstoesser. The presence of thermonuclease was determined using petrifilm for S. aureus from 3M company. The pH and lactic bacteria population were constant during the testing period. Yogurt with additional probiotic cultures (high and low concentration) lowered the population of S. aureus to non detectable levels in 8 days; but, S. aureus could be cultured from yogurt without probiotics even after 24 days of incubation. Same time, the presence of thermonuclease was positive in all tests; it was not affected by probiotics. The presence of thermonuclease is related to the production of S. aureus enterotoxin. This work emphasizes again the beneficial effects of probiotic cultures in yogurt over bacteria and the importance of keeping hygienic practices in order to avoid the contamination of food with S. aureus and the eventual production of its enterotoxin, since it is not affected by probiotics.     

Multi-Systemic Alterations by Chronic Exposure to a Low Dose of Bisphenol A in Drinking Water: Effects on Inflammation and NAD+-Dependent Deacetylase Sirtuin1 in Lactating and Weaned Rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is largely used as a monomer in some types of plastics. It accumulates in tissues and fluids and is able to bypass the placental barrier, affecting various organs and systems. Due to huge developmental processes, children, foetuses, and neonates could be more sensitive to BPA-induced toxicity. To investigate the multi-systemic effects of chronic exposure to a low BPA dose (100 μg/L), pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to BPA in drinking water during gestation and lactation. At weaning, newborn rats received the same treatments as dams until sex maturation. Free and conjugated BPA levels were measured in plasma and adipose tissue; the size of cerebral ventricles was analysed in the brain; morpho-functional and molecular analyses were carried out in the liver with a focus on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1). Higher BPA levels were found in plasma and adipose tissue from BPA treated pups (17 PND) but not in weaned animals. Lateral cerebral ventricles were significantly enlarged in lactating and weaned BPA-exposed animals. In addition, apart from microvesicular steatosis, liver morphology did not exhibit any statistically significant difference for morphological signs of inflammation, hypertrophy, or macrovesicular steatosis, but the expression of inflammatory cytokines, Sirt1, its natural antisense long non-coding RNA (Sirt1-AS LncRNA) and histone deacetylase 1 (Hdac1) were affected in exposed animals. In conclusion, chronic exposure to a low BPA dose could increase the risk for disease in adult life as a consequence of higher BPA circulating levels and accumulation in adipose tissue during the neonatal period.     

Bisphenol A—A Dangerous Pollutant Distorting the Biological Properties of Soil

Bisphenol A (BPA), with its wide array of products and applications, is currently one of the most commonly produced chemicals in the world. A narrow pool of data on BPA–microorganism–plant interaction mechanisms has stimulated the following research, the aim of which has been to determine the response of the soil microbiome and crop plants, as well as the activity of soil enzymes exposed to BPA pressure. A range of disturbances was assessed, based on the activity of seven soil enzymes, an abundance of five groups of microorganisms, and the structural diversity of the soil microbiome. The condition of the soil was verified by determining the values of the indices: colony development (CD), ecophysiological diversity (EP), the Shannon–Weaver index, and the Simpson index, tolerance of soil enzymes, microorganisms and plants (TI_BPA), biochemical soil fertility (BA₂₁), the ratio of the mass of aerial parts to the mass of plant roots (PR), and the leaf greenness index: Soil and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD). The data brought into sharp focus the adverse effects of BPA on the abundance and ecophysiological diversity of fungi. A change in the structural composition of bacteria was noted. Bisphenol A had a more beneficial effect on the Proteobacteria than on bacteria from the phyla Actinobacteria or Bacteroidetes. The microbiome of the soil exposed to BPA was numerously represented by bacteria from the genus Sphingomonas. In this object pool, the highest fungal OTU richness was achieved by the genus Penicillium, a representative of the phylum Ascomycota. A dose of 1000 mg BPA kg⁻¹ d.m. of soil depressed the activity of dehydrogenases, urease, acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase, while increasing that of alkaline phosphatase and arylsulfatase. Spring oilseed rape and maize responded significantly negatively to the soil contamination with BPA.     

Chitosan–Fe3O4 nanocomposite based electrochemical sensors for the determination of bisphenol A

This paper reports the application of chitosan–Fe₃O₄ (CS–Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrodes for the amperometric determination of bisphenol A (BPA). We observed that the CS–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite could remarkably enhance the current response and decrease its oxidation overpotential in the electrochemical detection. Experimental parameters, such as the amount of the CS–Fe₃O₄, the accumulation potential and time, the pH value of buffer solution etc. were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the oxidation peak current was proportional to BPA concentration in the range between 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ and 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ with the correlation coefficient of 0.9992 and the limit of detection of 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol dm⁻³ (S/N = 3). The proposed sensors were successfully employed to determine BPA in real plastic products and the recoveries were between 92.0% and 06.2%. This strategy might open more opportunities for the electrochemical determination of BPA in practical applications. Additionally, the leaching studies of BPA on incubation time using the as-prepared modified electrode were successfully carried out.     

Adsorptive interaction of bisphenol A with mesoporous titanosilicate/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite materials: FT-IR and Raman analyses

Nanocomposite materials containing graphene oxide have attracted tremendous interest as catalysts and adsorbents for water purification. In this study, mesoporous titanosilicate/reduced graphene oxide composite materials with different Ti contents were employed as adsorbents for removing bisphenol A (BPA) from water systems. The adsorptive interaction between BPA and adsorption sites on the composite materials was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Adsorption capacities of BPA at equilibrium, q _e (mg/g), decreased with increasing Ti contents, proportional to the surface area of the composite materials. FT-IR observations for fresh and spent adsorbents indicated that BPA adsorbed onto the composite materials by the electrostatic interaction between OH functional groups contained in BPA and on the adsorbents. The electrostatic adsorption sites on the adsorbents were categorized into three hydroxyl groups: Si-OH, Ti-OH, and graphene-OH. In Raman spectra, the intensity ratios of D to G band were decreased after the adsorption of BPA, implying adsorptive interaction of benzene rings of BPA with the sp² hybrid structure of the reduced graphene oxide.     

Encapsulation of Aqueous Components in Solid Fat Beads: Studies of a Model Dye and a Probiotic Culture

Solid fat beads containing aqueous droplets of either a water soluble dye (Brilliant Blue) or a suspension of viable probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis) were produced by dropping a water‐in‐molten fat emulsion into cold water or onto a cold plate, respectively. Hydrogenated palm stearin beads containing 20 % dye solution were 4.6 ± 0.2 × 2.7 ± 0.4 mm and the average bead weighed 0.0103 ± 0.0003 g. The dye was completely released into an external aqueous phase after 24 h stirring at temperatures above the melting point of the fat but at temperatures where the fat was solid very little dye was released into an external aqueous phase. When a bacterial suspension was used as the internal phase of 20 % hydrogenated palm stearin/80 % palm kernel oil beads, the beads contained 8.44 log CFU/g. The encapsulated organisms were more resistant to acid stress than an unencapsulated control (loss of 0.7 versus 5.75 log CFU/g). This approach offers a way to protect probiotic bacteria during transit through the stomach. Practical application: by encapsulating bacteria in solid fat they become more resistant to acids. Small beads could be added to foods or swallowed as a pill as a way to deliver viable probiotic organisms to the lower digestive tract.     

Unexpected Interacting Effects of Physical (Radiation) and Chemical (Bisphenol A) Treatments on Male Reproductive Functions in Mice

For decades, numerous chemical pollutants have been described to interfere with endogenous hormone metabolism/signaling altering reproductive functions. Among these endocrine disrupting substances, Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used compound, is known to negatively impact germ and somatic cells in the testis. Physical agents, such as ionizing radiation, were also described to perturb spermatogenesis. Despite the fact that we are constantly exposed to numerous environmental chemical and physical compounds, very few studies explore the impact of combined exposure to chemical and physical pollutants on reproductive health. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of fetal co-exposure to BPA and IR on testicular function in mice. We exposed pregnant mice to 10 µM BPA (corresponding to 0.5 mg/kg/day) in drinking water from 10.5 dpc until birth, and we irradiated mice with 0.2 Gy (γ-ray, RAD) at 12.5 days post-conception. Co-exposure to BPA and γ-ray induces DNA damage in fetal germ cells in an additive manner, leading to a long-lasting decrease in germ cell abundance. We also observed significant alteration of adult steroidogenesis by RAD exposure independently of the BPA exposure. This is illustrated by the downregulation of steroidogenic genes and the decrease of the number of adult Leydig cells. As a consequence, courtship behavior is modified, and male ultrasonic vocalizations associated with courtship decreased. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the importance of broadening the concept of endocrine disruptors to include physical agents, leading to a reevaluation of risk management and regulatory decisions.     

Effect of microorganisms during the initial coagulum maturation of Hevea natural rubber

The involvement of microorganisms in the initial stage of maturation of natural rubber coagula was assessed with five latex treatments that varied in the initial quantity of microorganisms; the treatments ranged from latex added with an antimicrobial agent (3.4 × 10⁴ CFU/mL) to strongly inoculated latex (2.4 × 10⁷ CFU/mL). After 0–6 days of maturation, the obtained rubber was characterized with respect to its physical and structural properties. The Wallace plasticity (P₀) and plasticity retention index (PRI) remained constant during maturation with the antibiotic‐added treatment. PRI decreased with the maturation time, and the rate was proportional to the initial microorganism concentration. P₀ of all inoculated rubber increased for the first 2 days of maturation and decreased after 6 days of maturation. With respect to structural parameters, a higher initial microorganism content corresponded to a higher gel content and a lower weight‐average molar mass after maturation, drying, and storage. The inoculated rubber showed a stable value for the number‐average molar mass (M_n), in contrast to the noninoculated samples, for which an increase in M_n during maturation was observed. The quantity of microorganisms significantly affected the physical properties and structure of the processed dry rubber. The mechanisms occurring during the initial stage of maturation are complex, and microorganisms are involved not only in the increase in sensitivity to thermooxidation but also in the crosslinking phenomenon between isoprene chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Probiotic Supplementation Suppresses Tumor Growth in an Experimental Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Model

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in incidence and second in mortality of all cancers worldwide. At the time of primary diagnosis, around 20% of patients already have metastatic CRC and only around 20% are candidates for radical resection. Thus, most of the patients have to undergo chemotherapy (CTx). Due to chemoresistance and side effects, novel treatment additives are crucial for controlling the disease and prolonging patient survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate probiotic supplementation and its antitumorigenic effects in an experimental CRC liver metastasis model. Six-week-old male Wistar rats received either a multispecies probiotic (1.2 × 10⁹ CFU/daily) or placebo mixture. On day 14 of the experiment, rat CRC cells (CC531) were implanted under the liver capsule later treated by FOLFOX CTx. Change in tumor volume was measured by performing micro computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning on experimental days 28 and 34. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining with anti-MPO, anti-Ki67, and anti-CD31 were performed. Tumor apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining. Micro-CT image analysis indicates that probiotic supplementation significantly inhibits tumor growth. No synergistic effects between probiotic supplementation and FOLFOX CTx was observed. Reduced tumor volume was achieved by inhibiting angiogenesis, as tumor microvascular density was significantly lower in rats receiving probiotic supplementation. This study shows that a multispecies probiotic mixture significantly reduces angiogenesis and inhibits CRC liver metastasis growth in an experimental rat model.     

Degradation of some micro-pollutants from aqueous solutions using ferrate (VI): Physico-chemical studies

The aim of this communication is to investigate various physico-chemical parametric studies in the oxidative degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and diclofenac (DCF) in aqueous solutions using the ferrate (VI). A wide range of pH (7.0–12.0) and concentrations of BPA/or DCF (0.03–0.5 mmol/L) is studied at a constant concentration of ferrate (VI) 0.1 mmol/L. Apparent rate constant was found to be 8.35 × 10² and 7.62 × 10² L/mol/min, respectively, for BPA and DCF degradation by the ferrate (VI). Further, decreasing the pH from 12.0 to 7.0, the corresponding increase is percentage degradation of BPA and DCF is found to be from 23 to 87% for BPA and from 14 to 41% for DCF, respectively, at the ferrate (VI) to micro-pollutant molar ratio 1:1. Total organic carbon data showed that partial mineralization of BPA/or DCF is achieved at a single operation of ferrate (VI) treatment. Moreover, decreasing the micro-pollutant concentration from 0.5 to 0.03 mmol/L has caused to increase the percentage TOC removal from 15 to 45% (for BPA) and from 10 to 38% (for DCF), respectively, at pH 7.0. The presence of NaCl, NaNO_3, and Na₂HPO₄ electrolytes could not affect significantly the oxidation of BPA and DCF by ferrate (VI). However, the presence of NaNO₂ and Na₂SO₃ co-existing ions hampered significantly the degradation of BPA and DCF using ferrate (VI).     

Effects of probiotic bacteria and oils on fatty acid profiles of cultured cream

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using various probiotic bacteria and plant oils in cultured cream on the fatty acid profiles including conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus, P. thoenii (jensenii) P126, and P. jensenii B1264 and a mixed culture (blend of L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus) were used in the fermentation of cream samples at a level of 2%. Cream samples were fortified with sunflower oil, soybean oil and hazelnut oil at a level of 2%. Microbial counts and fatty acid profile analysis were performed. The microbial results demonstrated that fermented cream could be a superior product for the presence of probiotics. Even though the cream samples contained 52% milk fat, in the majority of the samples growth of probiotic bacteria was higher than 10⁶ cfu/g. Concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids such as butyric, caproic and capric acids in cultured cream samples differed depending on the cultures used, while long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids were significantly affected by the plant oil fortification. The highest CLA content was obtained in the sample produced with B. bifidum, containing 0.73 mg of CLA/g fat. The effect of different plant oils on CLA concentration was significant (p >0.05) for HO + YC, SFO + LBYC and SO + LBYC. Results of the study are important for the dairy industry since it is the first publication on fermented cream with improved functional properties. The development of functional cultured cream with plant oils and probiotic bacteria would provide an important alternative dairy product.     

Branched polyamide/poly (acrylonitrile) blend membranes: synthesis,characterisation and pervaporation applications

ABSTRACT

Herein, a novel branched polyamide (BPA-1and BPA-2) was synthesised by direct polycondensation using branched polyethyleneimine and two different dicarboxylic acids (adipic acid and Hexafluoroisopropylidene bis benzoic acid) as monomers. The newly developed BPA was blended with poly (acrylonitrile) (PAN) separately at ratio of 3:1 (BPA/PAN) to form a branched BPA/PAN membrane via the solution-casting method. The prepared membrane was characterised using FTIR, X-ray, SEM and TGA and so that used for the dehydration of alcohols by pervaporation process. The experimental results revealed that the permeation flux of the BPA/PAN membrane increased with increasing feed ethanol concentration and feed temperature, but an increase in the number of carbon atoms inalcohol results in an increase in the permeation rate. The best separation performance could be achieved for the BPA-2/PAN membrane at 60°C for 80% ethanol in the feed with a total flux of 925 g m^?2 h^?1 and a separation selectivity of 1696.     

Effect of lipid source on probiotic bacteria and conjugated linoleic acid formation in milk model systems

The objective of this research was to study the effects of probiotic bacteria, lipid source, and fermentation time on the CLA content of a milk model system. The evaluation of 11 probiotic bacteria showed that they were able to produce CLA from linoleic acid in a model system containing hydrolyzed soy oil (1%) emulsified in milk, but not in model systems of unhydrolyzed oil (1%) emulsified in milk or 1% fat milk. Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii 56, P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii 51, and P. freudenreichii subsp. freudenreichii 23 demonstrated the greatest increase in CLA content. Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii 51, produced the highest cis-9,trans-11 CLA content and also produced the greatest increase in trans-10,cis-12 CLA content as fermentation time was increased from 24 to 48 h. The fermentation of probiotic bacteria for 24 h was often most effective in increasing the CLA content. Viable counts of probiotic bacteria increased significantly from 0 to 24 h. These results demonstrated that the content of CLA during fermentation was primarily dependent on the strain of probiotic bacteria and the lipid source in the milk model system. This research suggests an efficient approach to produce CLA-enriched cultured dairy products.     

Modification of the fat composition of the Iberian pig using Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis

The aim of this work was to study the influence of a diet with probiotic bacteria on the lipid composition of different tissues from Iberian pigs. Cholesterol and fatty acid profiles were measured in liver, subcutaneous fat, and Serratus ventralis muscle samples. Feeding Iberian pigs a mixture of probiotic microorganisms for 45 days prior to slaughter affected the tissue composition. The feeds of the control and probiotic groups were identical except for the added Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (1.28 × 10⁹ cfu/kg feed) in the feed of the probiotic group. The diet with probiotics significantly affected the fatty acid profile of liver, subcutaneous fat and Serratus ventralis muscle samples, but no significant differences were found for the cholesterol content. The livers of the probiotic group contained lower levels of n‐6 fatty acids and higher levels of n‐3 fatty acids. The subcutaneous fat contained lower levels of n‐6 fatty acids. Serratus ventralis muscles from the probiotic group contained a significantly higher percentage of oleic acid than those of the control group. Practical applications: This study deals with the effect of the addition of probiotic bacteria to the diet of pigs on both the cholesterol and fatty acid content. B. subtilis and B. licheniformis can be used in pig feed (Regulation EC no. 2148/2004), but there are no studies about their effects on fresh meat or other tissues, particularly regarding the fat composition. Thus, it is interesting to study how feeding these microorganisms affects the different tissues. Including these microorganisms in the basic diet could serve as a strategy to modify the fat composition and to obtain healthier products from pigs.     

Chromosome Segregation in the Oocyte: What Goes Wrong during Aging

Human female fertility and reproductive lifespan decrease significantly with age, resulting in an extended post-reproductive period. The central dogma in human female reproduction contains two important aspects. One is the pool of oocytes in the human ovary (the ovarian reserve; approximately 10⁶ at birth), which diminishes throughout life until menopause around the age of 50 (approximately 10³ oocytes) in women. The second is the quality of oocytes, including the correctness of meiotic divisions, among other factors. Notably, the increased rate of sub- and infertility, aneuploidy, miscarriages, and birth defects are associated with advanced maternal age, especially in women above 35 years of age. This postponement is also relevant for human evolution; decades ago, the female aging-related fertility drop was not as important as it is today because women were having their children at a younger age. Spindle assembly is crucial for chromosome segregation during each cell division and oocyte maturation, making it an important event for euploidy. Consequently, aberrations in this segregation process, especially during the first meiotic division in human eggs, can lead to implantation failure or spontaneous abortion. Today, human reproductive medicine is also facing a high prevalence of aneuploidy, even in young females. However, the shift in the reproductive phase of humans and the strong increase in errors make the problem much more dramatic at later stages of the female reproductive phase. Aneuploidy in human eggs could be the result of the non-disjunction of entire chromosomes or sister chromatids during oocyte meiosis, but partial or segmental aneuploidies are also relevant. In this review, we intend to describe the relevance of the spindle apparatus during oocyte maturation for proper chromosome segregation in the context of maternal aging and the female reproductive lifespan.