title: Phytoestrogens alter cortisol and androstenedione secretion by porcine adrenocortical cells.
abstract: The effect of plant-derived, nonsteroidal estrogens (genistein, daidzein and biochanin A) on cortisol and androstenedione secretion by porcine adrenocortical cells was examined. Adrenals were harvested from locally slaughtered mature gilts on days 5-9 of the oestrous cycle. Adrenocortical cells were incubated with or without genistein, daidzein, biochanin A (0.5, 5, 10 or 50 microM), oestradiol (10, 50, 100 or 500 pg/mL) and ACTH (5 nM--positive control). All incubations were performed for 8 h (95% air and 5% CO2, 37 degrees C). ACTH increased cortisol and androstenedione secretion. Genistein, daidzein and biochanin A suppressed cortisol output, whereas androstenedione secretion was enhanced by these phytoestrogens. In contrast, oestradiol did not alter steroid secretion by porcine adrenocortical cells, which may suggest that phytoestrogens have a non-oestrogenic mechanism of action. Therefore, phytoestrogens present in commercial forage may influence adrenocortical function in pigs by decreasing cortisol and increasing androstenedione secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-718 Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, Poland. tkam@uwm.edu.pl
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kamińska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Opalka
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dusza
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone