The consequences of phytoestrogenization of the father and the effects of phytoestrogens during puberty for male offspring

Abstract

Exposure to phytoestrogens (PE) during prepuberty and puberty can modulate the functioning of the reproductive axis, causing irreversible damage to reproductive programming.
 The aim of the study was to investigate the state of the reproductive system of male offspring of adult rats that were exposed to phytoestrogens in the pubertal period of ontogenesis.
 Materials and methods. The work was performed on adult male and female Wistar rats and their male offspring. In the experiment, the biological effect of PE was studied when applying a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight for 30 days to the father and/or offspring of puberty age starting from the 45th day of postnatal life. Upon reaching the age of six months, male offspring of all studied groups were examined for reproductive function.
 Results. The effect of estrogen-like substances on male reproductive function is manifested not only under the conditions of their intake in the critical periods of the embryonic and postnatal periods, but also, even when acting on the germ cells of parents. In male offspring, androgen secretion is disturbed, the hormonal status changes in the direction of hyperestrogenization, fertility decreases due to the reduced quality of germ cells against the background of a normal spermogram.
 Conclusion. The reproductive function of sexually mature male offspring of a phytoestrogenized father who received a mixture of phytoestrogens during puberty is characterized by differences in sexual behavior, a decrease in the reproductive potential of males, which occurs due to a decrease in the share of effective fertilization, which indicates negative changes in spermatozoa, the development of which took place in conditions of absolute and relative hyperestrogeny. This indicates that phytoestrogens, as an environmental factor, have adverse consequences not only for individuals who directly use them, but also for their male offspring