title: Phytoestrogens alter the reproductive organ development in the mink (Mustela vison).
abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the reproductive effects of two perorally applied phytoestrogens, genistein (8 mg/kg/day) and beta-sitosterol (50 mg/kg/day), on the mink (Mustela vison) at human dietary exposure levels. Parental generations were exposed over 9 months to these phytoestrogens and their offspring were exposed via gestation and lactation. Parents and their offspring were sampled 21 days after the birth of the kits. Sex hormone levels, sperm quality, organ weights, and development of the kits were examined. The exposed females were heavier than the control females at the 1st postnatal day (PND). The control kits were heavier than the exposed kits from the 1st to the 21st PND. Phytoestrogens did not affect the organ weights of the adult minks, but the relative testicular weight of the exposed kits was higher than in the control kits. The relative prostate weight was higher and the relative uterine weight lower in the beta-sitosterol-exposed kits than in the control kits. Moreover, the plasma dihydrotestosterone levels were lower in the genistein-exposed male kits compared to the control male kits. This study could not explain the mechanisms behind these alterations. The results indicate that perinatal phytoestrogen exposures cause alterations in the weight of the reproductive organs of the mink kits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, PO Box 111, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland. ryokkyne@cc.joensuu.fi
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ryökkynen
authors.forename: Petteri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nieminen
authors.forename: Anne-Mari
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mustonen
authors.forename: Teija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pyykönen
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asikainen
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hänninen
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mononen
authors.forename: Jussi V K
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Kukkonen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008907:Mink / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000494:pharmacology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D012855:Sitosterols; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; C025473:gamma-sitosterol