The effects of formononetin derived from red clover during pregnancy on puberty, some reproductive parameters and lordosis behavior of female mice

The phytoestrogen formononetin (FMN) is a polyphenolic non-steroidal plant compound with estrogen-like activity, which can be found in a number of plants such as red clover. The object of this study aimed to examine the effects of FMN during gestation on the onset of puberty, estrus cycle, reproductive organ weights and reproductive behavior in female mice. 20 pregnant mice were dived into 4 groups with 5 mice for each group and were exposed to FMN at doses of 0 (control), 5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/ day, by Intraperitoneal injection, from gestational days 7 until 21. Female offspring (n=6-8) were analyzed for vaginal opening day, estrus cycle regularity, weights of the uterus and ovaries, and lordosis behavior. Vaginal opening day was significantly advanced by 500FMN (p<0.01). First estrus was delayed by 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.01). There was a significant decrease in the number of estrous cycle and a significant increase in the length of the estrous cycle by 500FMN (p<0.05). diestrus index increased in 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.01). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the weight of the ovary and number of corpus luteum with 500FMN treatment and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the weight of uterus with 50 and 500FMN. There was a significant decrease (p<0.001) in LH level and LQ by 500FMN with an increase in the level of estradiol by 50 (p<0.05) and 500FMN (p<0.001) treatments. The results of this study showed that the exposure of pregnant mice with formunontin leads to advanced puberty, disrupted estrus cycles disorder, weight alter in the sex organs, and reduced sexual behavior in female offspring.