Genistein exerts estrogen-like effects in male mouse reproductive tract.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the estrogenicity of genistein in the neonatal and adult male mouse reproductive tract. In intact adults, genistein (2.5 mg s.c./kg of body weight/day for 9 days) reduced testicular and serum testosterone concentrations, pituitary LH-content and prostate weight. In castrated adults, genistein (0.025-2.5 mg s.c./kg of body weight) increased expression of c-fos gene in prostatic urethra. In adult, neonatally estrogenized mice showing an increased estrogen sensitivity, a 10-day treatment with genistein (2.5 mg s.c./kg of body weight) induced development of squamous epithelial metaplasia in prostatic collecting ducts. Neonatally, only a very high dose of genistein (1 mg/pup per day; i.e. approximately 500 mg/kg of body weight) induced persistent structural changes, similar to those seen in mice treated neonatally with diethylstilbestrol, in the urethroprostatic complex. These results suggest that in adult males, genistein induces the typical estrogenic effects in doses comparable to those present in soy-based diets, while in neonatal animals, considerably higher doses are required to show estrogen-like activity.
Strauss
L
L
University of Turku, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Anatomy and Medicity Research Laboratory, Turku, Finland.
Mäkelä
S
S
Joshi
S
S
Huhtaniemi
I
I
Santti
R
R
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004848:Epithelium; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016762:Genes, fos / Q000235:genetics; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D051379:Mice; D009919:Orchiectomy; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D019833:Genistein