Effects of exposure to genistein and estradiol on reproductive development in immature male mice weaned from dams adapted to a soy-based commercial diet

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 66; no. 11; pp. 1347 - 1354
• Main Authors: Jung, E.Y. (Chungbuk National Univ., Cheongju (Korea R.)), Lee, B.J, Yun, Y.W, Kang, J.K, Baek, I.J, Yon, J.M, Lee, Y.B, Sohn, H.S, Lee, J.Y, Kim, K.S, Yu, W.J, Do, J.C, Kim, Y.C, Nam, S.Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01-11-2004; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animal Feed; Animals; Epididymis - drug effects; estradiol; Estradiol - toxicity; Female; GENISTEIN; Genistein - toxicity; GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Glycine max; Male; MICE; Mice, Inbred ICR; OESTROGENS; Organ Size - drug effects; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; phospholipid hydroxide glutathione peroxidase; Phytoestrogens - toxicity; Prostate - drug effects; Sexual Maturation - drug effects; SEXUAL MATURITY; sperm; Sperm Count; SPERMATOZOA; Testis - drug effects; Weight Gain
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.66.1347

Genistein. a soybean-originated isoflavonc. is widely consumed by humans for putative beneficial health effects but its catrogenic activity may adversely affect the development of male reproductive system. Twenty one-day-old ICR mice weaned from dams fed with a soybean-based diet throughout gestation and lactation were exposed by gavage to genistein (2.5 mg/kg b.w./day) or 17Beta-estra-diol (7.5 Microg/kg b.w./day) for five weeks. Corn oil was used as a negative control. The animals were fed with a cascin-based AIN-76A diet throughout the experimental periods. There were no significant differences in body and organ weights of mice among experimental groups. No significant differences in sperm counts and sperm motile characteristics were found between control and genistein groups. Treatment of 17Beta-estadiol caused a significant decrease in prostate weight and epididymal sperm counts compared to the control (p<0.05). The levels of phospholipid hydroxide glutathionc peroxidase in the testis and prostate of mice expoaed 10 genistein or 17Beta-estradiol were significantly higher than that of the control mice (p<0.05). 17Beta-escradiol treatment caused degeneration and apoptosis of germ cells in the testis, depletion and degeneration in the epididymis epithelium. and hyperplasia of mucosal fold region in the prostate of mice. Genisiein treatment did nor cause any lesion in the testis. epididymis. and prostate. These results suggest that dietary uptake of genistein during juvenile period may not affect male reproductive development and functions.