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Abstract

The consumption of isoflavones is gaining popularity worldwide due to their beneficial effects on health. However, isoflavones are considered to be endocrine disruptors and cause deleterious effects on hormone-sensitive organs, especially in males. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if a continuous and prolonged exposure to isoflavones in adult males altered the endocrine axis effect of testicular function. For this purpose, seventy-five adult male rats were administered with low and high mixtures of isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) for 5 months. The determination of steroid hormones (progesterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 17β-estradiol, and estrone sulphate) was carried out in serum and testicular homogenate samples. Sperm quality parameters and testicular histology were also determined. The results revealed that low and high doses of isoflavones promote a hormonal imbalance in androgen and estrogen production, resulting in a decrease in circulating and testicular androgen levels and an increase in estrogen levels. These results are associated with a reduction in the sperm quality parameters and a reduction in the testicular weight, both in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the height of the germinal epithelium. Altogether, these results suggest that a continuous exposure to isoflavones in adult male rats causes a hormonal imbalance in the testes that disrupts the endocrine axis, causing defects in testicular function.

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Introduction Genistein is an isoflavone phytoestrogen that induces cell differentiation in tissue culture Constantinou and Huberman (1995). An inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, histidine kinase, and topoisomerase Akiyama et al (1987), Huang et al (1992), Barnes and Petersen (1995), genistein is thought to be an anticancer, antiproliferative, cardioprotective and/or chemopreventive agent. It is possible, however, that the enzyme inhibitory effects may only occur at non-physiological concentrations Belenky et al (2003). At physiological concentrations, genistein activates the nuclear estrogen receptors ER-alpha and ER-beta Kuiper et al (1997), Kuiper et al (1998), Casanova et al (1999) and affects TGF-beta signaling pathways Kim et al (1998). While genistein, or its more soluble glucoside derivative genistin, are taken as a dietary supplement, they have not been thoroughly tested in clinical trials. Common dietary supplements often include other isoflavones, such as daidzein and glycitein or their corresponding glucoside conjugates.