Phytoestrogens: adverse effects on reproduction in California quail.
Phytoestrogens, largely formononetin and genistein, are produced in the leaves of stunted desert annuals in a dry year. When ingested by California quail, these compounds apparently inhibit reproduction and prevent the production of young that will not have adequate food. In a wet year, forbs grow vigorously and phytoestrogenic substances are largely absent. Quail then breed prolifically and the abundant seed crop carries the enlarged population through the winter.
D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011784:Quail / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D004967:Estrogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D007529:Isoflavones; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C007768:formononetin