Critical considerations on the study “Adolescent exposure to bisphenol a antagonizes androgen regulation of social behavior in male mice” (Zhong et al., 2024): The importance of locomotor and anxiety assessments

This correspondence provides constructive feedback on the study “Adolescent Exposure to Bisphenol A Antagonizes Androgen Regulation of Social Behavior in Male Mice” by Zhong et al. (2024). While the study attributes reductions in social play, interactions, and aggression to the antagonism of androgen-regulated pathways, we emphasize that unassessed confounding factors—such as locomotor deficits and anxiety-like behavior—may influence these outcomes. Evidence from Wang et al. (2020), Beauty et al. (2025), and Ji et al. (2023) highlights the necessity of evaluating these variables. We suggest incorporating behavioral assessments to ensure a more robust interpretation of BPA's direct effects on neurobehavioral responses.