Fetal and neonatal genistein exposure aggravates to interfere with ovarian follicle development of obese female mice induced by high-fat diet

Food Chem Toxicol. 2020 Jan:135:110982. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110982. Epub 2019 Nov 17.

Abstract

With epidemic of obesity, it affects aspects of female reproduction. Genistein could ameliorate obesity in people and animals, but might exert adverse effects on the female reproductive system. To evaluate the effects of fetal and neonatal genistein exposure on the ovarian health of F1 obese female mice with obesity induced by high-fat diet after weaning, we simulated a diet-induced obesity model to observe and determine biological effects of genistein exposure on the ovarian follicle of overfed female mice. Results showed that F1 female mice with obesity induced by high-fat diet significantly prolonged the estrus cycle, disrupted sex hormonal balance and ovarian follicle development after they were exposed to 25 mg/kg b.w./day of genistein during the fetal and neonatal stages. Genistein significantly up-regulated the ovarian mRNA expression of estrogen receptor beta in F1 obese female mice, and high-fat diet influenced the ovarian mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha, luteinizing hormone receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor. Hence, genistein exposure from the fetal stage might increase the risk of reproductive diseases in obese females in later life. Thus, the long-term risks of genistein to obese females should be thoroughly assessed.

Keywords: Fetal and neonatal exposure; Genistein; Obesity; Ovarian follicle; Reproductive development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / genetics
  • Estrous Cycle / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Genistein / adverse effects*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects*
  • Ovarian Follicle / embryology
  • Ovarian Follicle / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Genistein