title: Impact of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function.
abstract: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) and the isoflavone puerarin in functional toxicological tests on spermatozoa and to assess the affinity of extracts and pure isoflavones for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta (ERα, ERβ) in receptor binding assays. Capacitation, acrosome reaction and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were analyzed using microscopic analysis. Kudzu, but not puerarin, reduced motility of sperm. Puerarin reduced the percent spontaneous acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. The pathways used by kudzu that affect sperm function are not fully mirrored by puerarin. Puerarin, kudzu and its other phytoestrogenic components displayed preferential affinity for ERβ, however the diverse effects of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function implicate the involvement of multiple signaling systems.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Physiology Laboratory, Animal & Veterinary Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States. Electronic address: sngry@clemson.edu.
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Physiology Laboratory, Animal & Veterinary Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States.
authors.forename: Brett R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lackey
authors.affiliation: ART Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Greenville Health System University Medical Group, Greenville, SC 29605, United States.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Boone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029908:Pueraria; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D034421:Sus scrofa
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C033607:puerarin
keywords: Estrogen; Kudzu; Puerarin; Reproduction; Sperm