Exposure to Genistein During Gestation and Lactation Demasculinizes the Reproductive System in Rats

Abstract

No AccessJournal of UrologyINVESTIGATIVE UROLOGY1 Apr 2003Exposure to Genistein During Gestation and Lactation Demasculinizes the Reproductive System in Rats AMY B. WISNIEWSKI, SABRA L. KLEIN, YEGAPPAN LAKSHMANAN, and JOHN P. GEARHART AMY B. WISNIEWSKIAMY B. WISNIEWSKI Requests for reprints: 600 North Wolfe St., Park 211, Baltimore, Maryland 21287. More articles by this author , SABRA L. KLEINSABRA L. KLEIN More articles by this author , YEGAPPAN LAKSHMANANYEGAPPAN LAKSHMANAN More articles by this author , and JOHN P. GEARHARTJOHN P. GEARHART More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000046780.23389.e0AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein (Indofine Chemical Co., Somerville, New Jersey) can disrupt normal male sexual differentiation. To determine if perinatal (that is gestation and lactation) genistein exposure at doses common in human diets alters masculinization we examined the development of the external genitalia, testes, wolffian ducts and sexual behavior in male rats exposed to genistein supplemented diets during early development. Materials and Methods: Female rats were fed a phytoestrogen-free diet supplemented with no genistein (free), a low genistein dose (low) or a high genistein dose (high) throughout gestation and lactation. Anogenital distance of male offspring was measured weekly from postnatal days 2 to 21. At puberty (postnatal day 40 to 45) preputial separation, and testis length and width of male offspring were measured. At age 70 days reproductive organ masses, plasma testosterone concentration, sperm counts and sexual behavior were assessed in male offspring. Results: Exposure to genistein resulted in temporary, prepubertal urogenital abnormalities at postnatal days 21 and 40. Males exposed to genistein had smaller anogenital distance and testis size, and delayed preputial separation. Perinatal exposure to genistein also caused long-term dysfunction in reproductive behavior, in which adult males exposed to genistein were less likely to mount, intromit and ejaculate during mating tests. Males exposed to genistein also had lower testosterone concentrations in adulthood. Conclusions: Perinatal genistein exposure results in transient and lasting alterations in masculinization of the reproductive system. These results extend our knowledge of the effects of early genistein exposure on male development and may have implications for human health in terms of potential relationships of endocrine disrupters and urogenital abnormalities thought to be increasing in incidence in boys and men. References 1 : Rise in prevalence of hypospadias. Lancet1998; 351: 770. Google Scholar 2 : Developmental effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in wildlife and humans. 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Google Scholar From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland© 2003 by American Urological Association, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 169Issue 4April 2003Page: 1582-1586 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2003 by American Urological Association, Inc.Keywordsgenisteinmalepubertyestrogensurogenital abnormalitiesdelayedMetricsAuthor Information AMY B. WISNIEWSKI Requests for reprints: 600 North Wolfe St., Park 211, Baltimore, Maryland 21287. More articles by this author SABRA L. KLEIN More articles by this author YEGAPPAN LAKSHMANAN More articles by this author JOHN P. GEARHART More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...