title: Genistein impairs early testosterone production in fetal mouse testis via estrogen receptor alpha.
abstract: The widespread consumption of soy-based products raises the issue of the reproductive toxicity of phytoestrogens. Indeed, it is well known that genistein, an isoflavone found in soybeans and soy products, mimics the actions of estrogens and that the fetal testis is responsive to estrogens. Therefore we investigated whether genistein could have deleterious effects on fetal testis. Using organ cultures of fetal testes from wild type and ERα or ERβ knock-out mice we show that genistein inhibits testosterone secretion by fetal Leydig cells during early fetal development (E12.5), within the "masculinization programming window". This effect occurs through an ERα-dependent mechanism and starting at 10 nM genistein, a concentration which is compatible with human consumption. No effect of genistein on the number of gonocytes was detected at any of the studied developmental stages. These results suggest that fetal exposure to phytoestrogens can affect the development and function of the male reproductive system.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Gonad Differentiation and Radiobiology, Stem Cells and Radiation Service, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Radiation Biology, Life Sciences Division, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, B.P. 6, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
authors.forename: Abdelali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehraiki
authors.forename: Cathie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chamaillard
authors.forename: Andrée
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krust
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Habert
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Levacher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D005333:Fetus; D019833:Genistein / Q000633:toxicity*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D013739:Testosterone; D019833:Genistein