Reproductive consequences of developmental phytoestrogen exposure

Phytoestrogens, estrogenic compounds derived from plants, are ubiquitous in human and animal diets. These chemicals are generally much less potent than estradiol but act via similar mechanisms. The most common source of phytoestrogen exposure to humans is soybean-derived foods that are rich in the i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inReproduction (Cambridge, England) Vol. 143; no. 3; pp. 247 - 260
Main Authors Jefferson, Wendy N, Patisaul, Heather B, Williams, Carmen J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BioScientifica 01.03.2012
Subjects
Animals
Chemicals
Child Development - drug effects
Diet
Dietary supplements
Diets
Estrogens
Humans
Infant
Infant Food - adverse effects
Infant Formula - chemistry
infant formulas
Infant, Newborn
Phytoestrogens - adverse effects
Phytoestrogens - pharmacology
Reproduction
Reproduction - drug effects
Reproduction - physiology
Review
Reviews
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Summary:Phytoestrogens, estrogenic compounds derived from plants, are ubiquitous in human and animal diets. These chemicals are generally much less potent than estradiol but act via similar mechanisms. The most common source of phytoestrogen exposure to humans is soybean-derived foods that are rich in the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. These isoflavones are also found at relatively high levels in soy-based infant formulas. Phytoestrogens have been promoted as healthy alternatives to synthetic estrogens and are found in many dietary supplements. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence that phytoestrogen exposure, particularly in the developmentally sensitive periods of life, has consequences for future reproductive health.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:1470-1626
1741-7899
DOI:10.1530/REP-11-0369