title: Early postnatal genistein administration permanently affects nitrergic and vasopressinergic systems in a sex-specific way.
abstract: Genistein (GEN) is a natural xenoestrogen (isoflavonoid) that may interfere with the development of estrogen-sensitive neural circuits. Due to the large and increasing use of soy-based formulas for babies (characterized by a high content of GEN), there are some concerns that this could result in an impairment of some estrogen-sensitive neural circuits and behaviors. In a previous study, we demonstrated that its oral administration to female mice during late pregnancy and early lactation induced a significant decrease of nitric oxide synthase-positive cells in the amygdala of their male offspring. In the present study, we have used a different experimental protocol mimicking, in mice, the direct precocious exposure to GEN. Mice pups of both sexes were fed either with oil, estradiol or GEN from birth to postnatal day 8. Nitric oxide synthase and vasopressin neural systems were analyzed in adult mice. Interestingly, we observed that GEN effect was time specific (when compared to our previous study), sex specific, and not always comparable to the effects of estradiol. This last observation suggests that GEN may act through different intracellular pathways. Present results indicate that the effect of natural xenoestrogens on the development of the brain may be highly variable: a plethora of neuronal circuits may be affected depending on sex, time of exposure, intracellular pathway involved, and target cells. This raises concern on the possible long-term effects of the use of soy-based formulas for babies, which may be currently underestimated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), University of Torino, Torino, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy. Electronic address: giovanna.ponti@unito.it.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ponti
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Gomez
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farinetti
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marraudino
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Filice
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Foglio
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sciacca
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Panzica
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Regione Gonzole, 10 - 10043 Orbassano (TO), Torino, Italy; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Via Cherasco 15, 10126-University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gotti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D014667:Vasopressins; D004958:Estradiol; D019833:Genistein; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
keywords: endocrine disruptors; hypothalamus; limbic system; phytoestrogens; sexual dimorphism