Event Title
Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Spermatogenesis and Male Reproductive Tract in Mice
Location
Loosemore Auditorium
Description
PURPOSE: Increases in infertility over the past 50 years are linked to environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). One type of EDC is phytoestrogens, commonly found in soy-based diets and foods such as cauliflower, tofu, and broccoli. Phytoestrogens may bind estrogen receptors acting agonistically, or antagonistically. The developing male reproductive tract is potentially susceptible to endocrine disruptors leading to changes in adult reproductive function and possibly infertility. We hypothesize that dietary phytoestrogen exposure will have a dose dependent effect with the high diet yielding the lowest sperm count and worst performance compared to the medium and low phytoestrogen diet. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Male C57 mice were fed a diet containing a low, medium or high concentration of phytoestrogens during pubertal development. Testicular and epididymal sperm were counted to determine sperm production and transit times. ANALYSES: Differences between the groups were determined by ANOVA using GraphPad Prism statistical analysis software. If the ANOVA was significant (p ≤ 0.05), differences between groups were determined by using a Tukey’s multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Daily sperm production was not significantly different between groups, while the high group trended lower. Serum FSH was lowest in the high group indicating changes in pituitary hormone function. Epididymis weight was increased in the high group suggesting changes in tissue development. Caudal transit time was the longest in the high group, a factor that could negatively affect sperm development. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high levels of dietary phytoestrogens alter pubertal development and sexual maturation in mice.
Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Spermatogenesis and Male Reproductive Tract in Mice
Loosemore Auditorium
PURPOSE: Increases in infertility over the past 50 years are linked to environmental exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). One type of EDC is phytoestrogens, commonly found in soy-based diets and foods such as cauliflower, tofu, and broccoli. Phytoestrogens may bind estrogen receptors acting agonistically, or antagonistically. The developing male reproductive tract is potentially susceptible to endocrine disruptors leading to changes in adult reproductive function and possibly infertility. We hypothesize that dietary phytoestrogen exposure will have a dose dependent effect with the high diet yielding the lowest sperm count and worst performance compared to the medium and low phytoestrogen diet. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Male C57 mice were fed a diet containing a low, medium or high concentration of phytoestrogens during pubertal development. Testicular and epididymal sperm were counted to determine sperm production and transit times. ANALYSES: Differences between the groups were determined by ANOVA using GraphPad Prism statistical analysis software. If the ANOVA was significant (p ≤ 0.05), differences between groups were determined by using a Tukey’s multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Daily sperm production was not significantly different between groups, while the high group trended lower. Serum FSH was lowest in the high group indicating changes in pituitary hormone function. Epididymis weight was increased in the high group suggesting changes in tissue development. Caudal transit time was the longest in the high group, a factor that could negatively affect sperm development. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high levels of dietary phytoestrogens alter pubertal development and sexual maturation in mice.